mascaron

mascaron (MAS-kuh-ron) - n., (architecture) a decorative element in the form of a face, often grotesque.


Can be human, animal, or indeterminate. Most often seen on keystones, with an alleged function of frightening away evil spirits so they do enter the building. Entered English around 1660 from French, from Italian mascherone, augmentative of maschera, mask, and cognate of same.


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---L.