Definify.com

Webster 1913 Edition

(kôr′bĕl)

Noun.

[F.

corbeau

, for older

corbel

, dim. of L.

corbis

basket. (Corbels were often in the form of a basket.) See

(Arch.)

A bracket supporting a superincumbent object, or receiving the spring of an arch. Corbels were employed largely in Gothic architecture.

☞ A common form of corbel consists of courses of stones or bricks, each projecting slightly beyond the next below it.

Verb.

To furnish with a corbel or corbels; to support by a corbel; to make in the form of a corbel.

To corbel out

to furnish with a corbel of courses, each projecting beyond the one next below it.

Noun.

[See the preceding words.]

In architecture, the representation of a basket, sometimes set on the heads of caryatides.

The vase or tambour of the Corinthian column; so called from its resemblance to a basket.