caryatid: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Formal, Academic, Artistic
Quick answer
What does “caryatid” mean?
A stone sculpture of a draped female figure, used as a pillar to support the entablature (upper part) of a building.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A stone sculpture of a draped female figure, used as a pillar to support the entablature (upper part) of a building.
Any figure, typically female, used as a supporting architectural column or pillar. Can also be used metaphorically to describe a person who silently bears a heavy burden or supports an organization/idea without due recognition.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage. Both follow the same specialized architectural/art historical application.
Connotations
Elicits connotations of classical antiquity, Greek architecture, formal beauty, and structural support. Highly cultured term.
Frequency
Extremely rare in everyday speech in both varieties. Used almost exclusively in academic, architectural, and artistic contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “caryatid” in a Sentence
[The/Adj] caryatid supports [noun][Noun] is supported by caryatids[Noun] features caryatidsVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “caryatid” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The caryatid porch was intricately carved.
- He studied the caryatid form in Hellenistic art.
American English
- The caryatid porch was intricately carved.
- He studied the caryatid form in Hellenistic art.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rarely used. Figurative: 'She was the caryatid of the department, holding everything together during the merger.'
Academic
Common in art history, archaeology, architecture: 'The caryatids of the Erechtheion are exemplary of Classical Greek sculpture.'
Everyday
Virtually never used in casual conversation.
Technical
Precise architectural term for a specific type of structural column shaped as a female figure.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “caryatid”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “caryatid”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “caryatid”
- Pronouncing it as 'carry-at-id' (stress on first syllable). Correct stress is on the third syllable in BrE /-ˈæt-/ and second in AmE /ˈker.i.ə-/.
- Using it to refer to any statue, not specifically a load-bearing architectural one.
- Confusing it with a 'gargoyle' (which is a waterspout, not a supportive column).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, by definition, a caryatid is a female figure. The male equivalent is called an 'atlantes' or 'telamone'.
It derives from the Greek 'Karyatides', meaning 'maidens of Karyai', a town in ancient Laconia. They were supposedly depicted as punishment for the town's betrayal.
It is highly specialized. Using it in everyday conversation would likely require explanation, as most listeners won't know the term. It's primarily for academic or artistic contexts.
The six Caryatids of the Erechtheion on the Athenian Acropolis (c. 420 BCE). One was removed by Lord Elgin and is in the British Museum; the others are replicas, with the originals in the Acropolis Museum.
A stone sculpture of a draped female figure, used as a pillar to support the entablature (upper part) of a building.
Caryatid is usually formal, academic, artistic in register.
Caryatid: in British English it is pronounced /ˌkær.iˈæt.ɪd/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈker.i.ə.tɪd/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “To be a caryatid (figurative): to bear a heavy burden silently.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
CARYATID = CARRY-AT-ID (She carries the weight at her head). Imagine a lady (ID) CARRYing a building on her head.
Conceptual Metaphor
SUPPORT IS A FEMALE BURDEN-BEARER; ARCHITECTURE IS THE HUMAN BODY (anthropomorphism).
Practice
Quiz
What is a defining characteristic of a caryatid?