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Portico - Meaning, Definition & English Examples

A portico is a covered entrance to a building, supported by columns or pillars. It often serves as a decorative and functional feature in classical architecture.

portico

/ˈpɔːrtɪkoʊ/ /ˈpɔːtɪkəʊ/

Definition:

A roofed entrance supported by columns, typically attached to a building.

Synonyms:

porch, colonnade, veranda, arcade

Part of Speech:

noun

Antonyms:

interior, enclosed space

Common Collocations:

grand portico, classical portico, columned portico, marble portico

Derivatives:

porticoed, porticos

Usage Tips:

Use "portico" to describe a formal entrance with columns, often seen in classical architecture.

Common Phrases:

under the portico, shelter of the portico, grand entrance portico

Etymology:

From Italian "portico," derived from Latin "porticus," meaning porch or colonnade.

Examples:

  • 1. The grand mansion had an impressive marble portico at its entrance.
  • 2. We stood under the portico to avoid the rain while waiting for our ride.
  • 3. The museum’s neoclassical design features a towering columned portico facing the street.
  • 4. Visitors admired the intricate carvings on the wooden beams of the old church’s portico.

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