Category:Pedestal

Ped"es*tal, n. Etym: [sp. pedestal; cf. F. piédestal, it. Piedestallo; fr. L. es, pedis, foot + ohg. stal standing place, Station, place, akin to e. stall. See foot, and stall, and Footstall.]

1. (arch.)

Defn: the base or foot of a column, statue, vase, lamp, or the like; The part on which an upright work stands. It consists of three parts, The base, the die or dado, and the cornice or surbase molding. See Illust. of column. Build him a pedestal, and say, "stand there!" Cowper.

2. (a) (railroad cars) a casting secured to the frame of a truck and Forming a jaw for holding a journal box. (b) (mach.) A pillow block; a low housing. (c) (bridge building) an iron socket, or support, for the foot of a Brace at the end of a truss where it rests on a pier. Pedestal coil (steam heating), a group of connected straight pipes arranged side by Side and one above another, -- used in a radiator.