caryatid
/ˌkarɪˈatɪd
/noun (plural caryatides /ˌkarɪˈatɪdiːz/ or caryatids) Architecture
A stone carving of a draped female figure, used as a pillar to support the entablature of a Greek or Greek-style building.We have much of the frieze of the treasury of the Siphnians of c. 525, as well as one of the caryatid figures supporting the porch; other buildings so decorated are extremely scrappily preserved....
- She entered the familiar vestibule, with its scarred stone caryatids and crumbling pillars, and walked down the short flight of iron-railed steps to the main chamber of Father's rooms.
- Modigliani's early, remarkable images of caryatids (female figures that serve as columns) are sometimes as strong as his later portraits.
Origin
Mid 16th century: via French and Italian from Latin caryatides, from Greek karuatides, plural of karuatis 'priestess of Artemis at Caryae', from Karuai (Caryae) in Laconia.