cavetto

noun

ca·vet·to kə-ˈve-(ˌ)tō

kä-

plural cavetti kə-ˈve-tē

kä-

: a concave molding having a curve that approximates a quarter circle see molding illustration

Examples of cavetto in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Three cavetto cornices cascade down the front, meeting the pin-straight pilasters crowned with iconic Nabatean horned capitals—inspiration for countless Corinthian capitals across the Greco-Roman world. —

Tharik Hussain, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Sep. 2022

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'cavetto.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Italian, from cavo "hollow, concave" (going back to Latin cavus) + -etto, diminutive and hypocoristic suffix — more at hole entry 1

First Known Use

1664, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of cavetto was in 1664

See more words from the same year