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Glite Dictionary
🪑 A large cabinet 🏛️ A projecting front
breakfront

breakfront

8.5
A part of a building front that sticks out from the wall for decoration
  • noun
  • /ˈbreɪkfrʌnt/
  • Specialized
translation icon : saliente
  • The architect designed a prominent breakfront to highlight the entrance of the building.

Examples

  • I think the-- and the breakfront over there by the wall.

    The Border (1982)

  • A classic Georgian mansion often features a central breakfront with decorative columns.

  • The museum's new wing includes a glass breakfront that faces the main street.

Synonyms

wing
vsbreakfront
122 3.0

A part of a building joined to the main part and used for a special purpose

is a decorative forward projection of the front rather than a functional extension
facade
vsbreakfront
26 6.3

The front of a building that is often decorated or impressive

is a part that projects forward from the front rather than the whole face
bow window
vsbreakfront
1 4.7

A window that sticks out from a wall in a gentle curve to give more light and space

is a projecting decorative element of the front rather than a window
frontispiece
vsbreakfront
  • Archaic
9.9

A decorated front of a building often with carvings or statues

is a projecting part of the front rather than the entire main face

Surface Forms

breakfront singular
breakfronts plural

Morphology

breakfront = break + front (semi-transparent) = break + front

Composed of 'break' + 'front' indicating a front that projects or 'breaks' the main line of a façade; clear components but the architectural term is a specialized meaning.

Etymology

Breakfront comes from the parts break and front, with break meaning 'to interrupt' or 'stick out' and front meaning 'the face of a building'. So a breakfront on a building is a part of the wall that 'breaks' the straight line by projecting forward as a decorative feature.