What does cymae mean?
Cymae are the plural form of cyma, a distinctive moulding in classical architecture defined by its double curvature — one part convex, one part concave — which gives it a gentle, wave-like sweep. Cymae most often crown a building's entablature or cornice, softening the transition between wall and roofline, and they appear in two principal orientations: the cyma recta, with the convex curve uppermost, and the cyma reversa, with the concave curve above. The name derives from the Greek kyma, meaning wave or swell, a fitting tribute to the moulding's undulating profile. Because the term belongs to the specialised vocabulary of architects, archaeologists, and art historians, it rarely appears outside scholarly or technical contexts. For readers of classical literature on buildings, however, recognising cymae is essential to describing the refined profiles that define Greek and Roman ornament.
nounThe plural of "cyma": a double-curved moulding used in classical architecture, whose profile combines a convex and a concave curve, found especially as a crowning cornice at the top of an entablature.
- As the plural of cyma: double-curved mouldings in classical architecture, combining a convex and concave profile.
"The restored pediment was crowned with elegant cymae that caught the afternoon light along the whole length of the cornice."
"The Corinthian capital's abacus rested beneath a delicately carved set of cymae."
"Students of classical orders learn to distinguish cymae from other mouldings by their distinctive double curve."
Both "cymae" (the traditional Latin plural) and "cymas" (an anglicised plural) are acceptable; "cymae" predominates in scholarly writing.
"The drawings recorded every detail of the cormice's cymae."
Architects literally named this graceful S-shaped moulding after ocean waves — and its Latin name still comes from the Greek word for swell.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of cymae
The word comes from the Latin cyma, itself borrowed from the Greek kyma, meaning "wave," "swell," or "embryo," referring to the moulding's undulating profile. It entered English architectural vocabulary during the Renaissance revival of classical building forms. Related terms include cymatium, the enriched top member of a cornice, and the botanical term cyme, both tracing back to the same Greek root.
Related word forms
How cymae is actually used
"Cymae" is a technical term confined to architecture, art history, and classical studies. It is always plural; the singular is "cyma." The word appears almost exclusively in formal, scholarly, or specialist writing.
Easily confused with cymae
A cyme is a type of flower cluster in botany, whereas cymae are architectural mouldings; both derive from the Greek word for wave but belong to entirely different fields.
"Cyma" is the singular form of the noun, while "cymae" is its plural.