corbie step

See also: corbiestep

English

WOTD – 19 July 2007

German buildings with corbie steps

Alternative forms

• corbie-step, corbiestep

Pronunciation

• (Received Pronunciation) IPA^(key): /ˈkɔːbi ˌstɛp/
• (US) IPA^(key): /ˈkɔːɹbi ˌstɛp/

• Audio (US):

  (file)

Noun

corbie step (plural corbie steps)

1. (architecture) One of a series of step-like projections at the top of a gable.
   • 1904, Montague Rhodes James, Ghost Stories of an Antiquary, number 13:

     It is a great red-brick house - that is, the front is of brick, with corbie steps on the gables and a text over the door; but the courtyard into which the omnibus drives is of black and white 'cage-work' in wood and plaster.

Synonyms

• cat-step
• crow step

Related terms

• corbel

See also

• corbie gable