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dripstone

dripstone

9.9
A stone ledge above a window or door that directs rain away from the wall
  • noun
  • UK
translation icon : saliente
  • The dripstone above the entrance keeps the door dry.

Examples

  • The mason carefully carved the dripstone to fit above the cathedral's arched windows.

  • Many old buildings feature ornate dripstones over their windows.

  • During restoration, the original 18th-century dripstones were discovered intact above the doorways.

  • Rainwater trickled harmlessly off the dripstone, sparing the wall below from erosion.

  • During restoration, the original 18th-century dripstones were discovered intact above the doorways.

  • Rainwater trickled harmlessly off the dripstone, sparing the wall below from erosion.

  • Many old buildings feature ornate dripstones over their windows.

Synonyms

drip
vsdripstone
  • Specialized
9 7.5

A small ledge on a roof or window that directs rain away from the wall

is usually stone and typically sits over windows or doors rather than any projection
drip mold
vsdripstone
  • Specialized
7.3

A small ledge above a window or doorway that directs rain away from the wall

is specifically a stone ledge or molding usually above windows or doors
hoodmold
vsdripstone
  • Specialized
9.9

A stone ledge above a window or door that sticks out to throw rain away

is broader, covering stone ledges or moldings beyond arches

Surface Forms

dripstone singular
dripstones plural

Morphology

dripstone = drip + stone (semi-transparent) = drip + stone

Components are clear, but the specialized architectural sense 'a molding or ledge that deflects rain' is a technical usage not fully predictable from the parts alone.

Etymology

Dripstone comes from the parts drip and stone, literally a 'stone that makes water drip away'. On buildings a dripstone is a small stone ledge above a window or door that sends rain off the wall, which is why it has that name.