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Glite Dictionary
dentil

dentil

1 9.6
A small rectangular block that repeats as a decoration under the edge of a roof
  • noun
  • /ˈdɛntɪl/
  • Specialized
: dental
  • Restorers carefully replaced missing dentils to match the original design of the building.
  • dentil molding

Examples

  • The ancient temple featured a row of dentils along its roofline.

  • You can see the decorative dentil pattern just below the cornice on the facade.

  • The architect chose a dentil design for the cornice.

  • Many classical buildings feature dentils along their roofs.

  • The elegant dentil molding along the cornice adds a classic touch to the room.

  • In classical architecture, dentils are often used to create a decorative rhythm on cornices.

  • The newly restored building featured beautifully crafted dentils that highlighted its historical design.

Surface Forms

dentil singular
dentils plural

Morphology

dentil = dent (semi-transparent) = dent + il

The element 'dent-' (tooth/tooth-like) is visible and the decorative blocks are tooth-like, but '-il' is an obscure, non-productive suffix and the term is specialized architectural vocabulary.

Etymology

Dentil comes from the Latin dens meaning 'tooth'. These small blocks look like a row of tiny teeth under a roof, and the same root is in dentist and dental, so the name reminds you of their tooth-like shape.