What does dentiled mean?
"Dentiled" is an architectural adjective describing a feature adorned with dentils — small, rectangular, tooth-like blocks arranged in a regular row beneath a classical cornice or along a molding. The term derives from the Latin dens, meaning "tooth," because the repeating blocks resemble a row of teeth projecting from the underside of a ledge. Dentiled cornices are a hallmark of the classical orders, appearing on Greek and Roman temples and later revived extensively in Renaissance, Georgian, Neoclassical, and Beaux-Arts buildings, where they add rhythm, shadow, and visual richness to the roofline. In modern usage the word appears chiefly in architectural criticism, preservation reports, guidebooks, and real-estate descriptions of traditional homes. Because of its specialized domain, "dentiled" reads as formal and technical, but it offers writers a precise way to characterize one of the most recognizable ornaments of classical design.
adjectiveHaving or decorated with dentils — the small, regularly spaced rectangular blocks resembling teeth that ornament a classical cornice or molding.
- Decorated or furnished with dentils, the small rectangular tooth-like blocks set in series beneath a classical cornice or along a molding.
"The neoclassical courthouse was crowned by an elaborate dentiled cornice."
"The bank's granite façade featured a finely dentiled cornice modeled on Roman temples."
"Above the bookshelves ran a modestly dentiled plaster molding, echoing the proportions of a Greek entablature."
Look up at any classical building's roofline and you'll see architecture literally smiling at you — those little 'teeth' in the cornice are why we say it's dentiled.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of dentiled
"Dentiled" derives from "dentil," a term borrowed from French dentille, itself from Italian dentello, a diminutive ultimately rooted in the Latin dens (genitive dentis), meaning "tooth." The word entered English architectural vocabulary during the Renaissance revival of classical forms, when Italian theorists catalogued the details of ancient temples and their terminology spread across Europe. It shares this Latin root with "dental," "dentist," and "trident."
Related word forms
How dentiled is actually used
A technical term used almost exclusively in architecture, art history, and building description. It appears mainly before nouns such as "cornice," "frieze," "molding," or "entablature." The word carries a formal, scholarly register and is rarely encountered in everyday speech.
Easily confused with dentiled
"Dented" means physically damaged with a hollow or indentation, while "dentiled" describes architectural decoration with small tooth-like blocks called dentils.