Also acrotere. [a. Fr. acrotère, ad. L. acroterium, ad. Gr. ἀκρωτήριον a summit or extremity, f. ἄκρος extreme, endmost, highest. The L. form acroterium and Gr. acroterion are more commonly used.]
1. Arch. In pl. acroteria or acroters, prop. ‘The pedestals, often without bases, placed on the centre and sides of pediments for the reception of figures.’ Gwilt. Sometimes applied less correctly to the statues on these pedestals.
1706. Phillips, Acroteres, in Architecture, Pedestals upon the Corners and Middle of a Pedement to support Statues.
1708. View of Lond., I. 95/2. Over each Column, upon Acroters, is a Lamp.
1751. Chambers, Cycl., Acroteria or Acroters in Architecture.
1857. Birch, Anc. Pottery (1858), I. 292. The acroteria of tombs were coloured blue and green.
† 2. ‘The pinnacles or other ornaments standing in ranges on the horizontal coping or parapets of a building.’ Gwilt. In this sense the pl. acroteria is found as a collective singular. Obs.
1678. Phillips, Acroteria, in Architecture are those sharp and spiry Battlements or Pinnacles, that stand in ranges, with Rails and Balasters upon flat Buildings.
1720. Stow, London (ed. Strype) III. viii. (1754), I. 650/1. At the west end is an Acroteria of the figures of the Apostles each about eleven feet high.
1759. Martin, Nat. Hist., I. 295. The Cornish, on which is a kind of Acroteria, enriched with Roses.
† 3. Med. The extremities of the body, as the hands, feet and head. Obs.
1706. Phillips, Acroteria, the utmost parts of a Man’s Body, as his Fingers-ends.
1753. Chambers, Cycl. Supp., The Acroteria growing cold in acute distempers, is held a prognostic of death.
