Gargoyle
['gɑːgɒɪl] or ['ɡɑrɡɔɪl]
Definition
(noun.) an ornament consisting of a grotesquely carved figure of a person or animal.
(noun.) a spout that terminates in a grotesquely carved figure of a person or animal.
Checked by Leda--From WordNet
Definition
(n.) A spout projecting from the roof gutter of a building, often carved grotesquely.
Typist: Psyche
Definition
n. a projecting spout conveying the water from the roof-gutters of buildings often representing human or other figures.
Editor: Ronda
Unserious Contents or Definition
n. A rain-spout projecting from the eaves of mediaeval buildings commonly fashioned into a grotesque caricature of some personal enemy of the architect or owner of the building. This was especially the case in churches and ecclesiastical structures generally in which the gargoyles presented a perfect rogues' gallery of local heretics and controversialists. Sometimes when a new dean and chapter were installed the old gargoyles were removed and others substituted having a closer relation to the private animosities of the new incumbents.
Checker: Marie