noun

la cornisa

cornice · ledge

Word: cornisa

Meaning:
In Spanish, "cornisa" generally refers to:

  1. Architectural Element:
    A horizontal decorative molding or projection that crowns a building or a wall, especially near the roofline. It often serves both an aesthetic and practical function, helping to throw rainwater away from the building’s walls.

  2. Geographical Feature:
    A narrow ledge or cliff edge, typically on a mountain or coastal area. It is a natural shelf or projection on the side of a rock formation or terrain.


Parts of the word:

  • Comes from Latin cornisa, associated with cornu (horn), possibly referring to the projecting or edging nature of the cornice.

Synonyms:

  • For architectural "cornisa": moldura, friso, antepecho (though these vary slightly in meaning depending on exact part and style).
  • For geographical "cornisa": saliente, repisa, risco (ledge, shelf, cliff).

Antonyms:

  • For architectural "cornisa," it's difficult to give a direct antonym, but one might consider the flat, undecorated wall beneath it.
  • For geographical "cornisa," an antonym could be a valley or depression in terrain.

Summary:
The Spanish word cornisa denotes either a decorative molding at the top edge of a building or a natural ledge on a cliff or mountain. Its usage depends heavily on context — architectural or geographic.

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Examples

Pintaron las cornisas de blanco para que quedaran más elegantes.noun

They painted the cornices white to make them look more elegant.

Una paloma descansaba en la cornisa del edificio antiguo.noun

A pigeon was resting on the ledge of the old building.

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