I. ˈpedə̇st ə l noun
( -s )
Usage: often attributive
Etymology: Middle French piedestal, from Old Italian piedestallo, from pie di stallo foot of a stall
1.
a. : the support or foot of a late classic or neoclassic column consisting of base, dado, and surbase moldings
b. : the base of an upright structure (as a statue, vase, lamp, harp)
a pedestal worthy of a storyteller's statue — Van Wyck Brooks
c. : a supporting part (as of a table or kneehole desk)
d. : pivot stand
e. : a cone or column of ice that supports or has supported a boulder or block of rock : pedestal rock
2.
a. : the supporting base or foundation of something intangible
pedigree was the pedestal of the British constitution — Wilfrid Lawson
b. : an elevated plane : position of esteem
places him … on a pedestal — E.V.Buckholder
shown off his pedestal … as the members of his family group saw him — Dorothy C. Fisher
3.
a. : a guide in the frame or truck of a car or locomotive that slides against the sides of the journal box and holds it in place as the body rides on the springs
b. Britain : an axle guard of a railroad car
4.
a. : a separate bearing or pillow block ; also : a housing for a bearing or pillow block
b. : a metal support that carries one end of a bridge truss or girder and transmits the load it receives to the top of a pier or abutment
5. : the strength of the television signal on which the synchronizing signal is superimposed corresponding to black or slightly blacker than black in the picture
II. transitive verb
( pedestaled or pedestalled ; pedestaled or pedestalled ; pedestaling or pedestalling ; pedestals )
1. : to place on or furnish with a pedestal
the pride of the … collections stands pedestalled in an alcove — Aldous Huxley
2. : to elevate in position : exalt
desired not to be … pedestalled, but to sink into the crowd — John Buchan