cul-de-lampe \|kəldə|lamp also |ku̇l-, F ku̅e̅dlääⁿp\noun (pluralculs-de-lampe \“\) Etymology: French, literally, lamp bottom 1.: any of various ornaments or parts resembling the conical bottom of ancient lamps (as a pendant from a roof or an isolated corbel supporting an oriel, column, or turret) 2.: tailpiece