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Glite Dictionary
corbel step

corbel step

9.9
A stone or brick step that sticks out along the sloping edge of a gable wall
  • noun
  • /ˈkɔrbəl stɛp/
  • Specialized
translation icon : escalón de soporte
  • Medieval builders often used corbel steps to create decorative gables on important buildings.

Examples

  • The gable of the old church was lined with corbel steps along its edges.

  • Restorers carefully matched the original stonework when replacing the damaged corbel step.

  • The architect designed a beautiful corbel step for the gable.

  • Many historic buildings feature corbel steps along their rooftops.

  • The gable of the historic house was adorned with intricately carved corbel steps that enhanced its architectural beauty.

  • Restorers carefully matched the original stonework when replacing the damaged corbel step on the ancient wall.

  • Many ancient structures showcase corbel steps that create an elegant outline along their sloping roofs.

Synonyms

corbiestep
vscorbel step
  • UK
9.9

A stepped top at the end wall of a house below the roof

adds that it projects in stone or brick and forms a sloping stepped pattern
corbie-step
vscorbel step
  • UK
9.9

A stepped top on the end wall of a roof that looks like stone stairs

focuses on material projection creating the stepped sloping edge
crow step
vscorbel step
  • UK
9.9

A stepped edge at the top of a wall under a sloping roof

is about projecting stone or brick steps forming the sloping gable edge

Surface Forms

corbel step singular
corbel steps plural

Morphology

corbel + step

The compound is a straightforward noun+noun composition: a 'corbel' (a projecting stone or brick support) forming a 'step' (a stepped or projecting element). The meaning is compositional and literal rather than idiomatic, so a learner who knows both constituents can infer the architectural sense.

Etymology

Corbel step comes from a simple building picture: builders put a row of stones that stick out from the top of a sloping wall so they look like little steps. Each sticking stone is called a corbel, and because these stones help hold and decorate the roof edge, the term describes that stepped pattern along the wall.