Definition of Gargoyle

Gallows

GARGOYLE noun

	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.

		definition from: *The Devil's Dictionary* by Ambrose Bierce, 1911

Garther

Regular definition:

GARGOYLE:
???:???l n. a grotesque carved human or animal face or figure projecting from the gutter of (esp. a Gothic) building usu. as a spout to carry water clear of a wall. [OF gargouille throat, gargoyle]

Last updated: 9/3/2011 12:48:30