cornice
UK[ˈkɔːnɪs]US[ˈkɔːrnɪs]
n
a decorative border of wood or plaster along the top of a wall or building
n
a horizontal molded projection that crowns or completes a building or wall
n
an overhanging mass of snow, ice, or rock on a mountain ridge or cliff
Etymology
the word 'cornice' entered english in the mid-16th century from italian, where 'cornice' originally meant a 'ledge' or 'projection'. the italian term is itself derived from the latin 'corōna', meaning 'crown' or 'garland', via a presumed vulgar latin form 'cornīcia. this etymological journey from 'crown' to 'architectural crown' is logical, as a cornice serves as the crowning, decorative finish to a structure. the semantic evolution reflects the architectural borrowing of terminology associated with honor and completion, extending later to describe similar overhanging formations in geology and mountaineering.
Analysis
this word is a loanword from italian where it exists as a simplex form. it does not contain separable morphemes within modern english spelling that can be meaningfully analyzed.
Examples
the elaborate plaster cornice added a touch of elegance to the room.
the architects designed a classical cornice to top the columns.
climbers were warned of the unstable cornice on the mountain's ridge.