I. ˈkȯr-nəs, -nish noun
Etymology: Middle French, from Italian, frame, cornice, from Latin cornic-, cornix crow; akin to Greek korax raven — more at raven
Date: 1563
1.
a. : the molded and projecting horizontal member that crowns an architectural composition — see column illustration
b. : a top course that crowns a wall
2. : a decorative band of metal or wood used to conceal curtain fixtures
3. : an overhanging mass of windblown snow or ice usually on a ridge
[
c cornice 1a
]
II. transitive verb
( cor·niced ; cor·nic·ing )
Date: 1744
: to furnish or crown with a cornice