[ ˌkarɪ'atɪd ]
■ noun ( plural ~es -di:z or ~s ) Architecture a pillar in the form of a draped female figure, supporting an entablature.
Origin
C16: via Fr. and Ital. from L. ~es , from Gk karuatides , plural of karuatis 'priestess of Artemis at Caryae', from Karuai (Caryae) in Laconia.