Mid 17th century; earliest use found in John Evelyn (1620–1706), diarist and writer. From classical Latin acrōtērium ornament on the angle of a pediment, projection acting as a breakwater, in post-classical Latin also (in plural) extremities of the body and its etymon ancient Greek ἀκρωτήριον summit or extremity, statue or ornament placed on the angle of a pedestal, (in plural) extremities of the body, hands and feet, in Hellenistic Greek also pediment from ἄκρος extreme, endmost, highest + -τήριον, suffix forming nouns.