pedestal. Substructure, consisting of a plinth, dado (or die), and cornice, beneath a column-base in Classical architecture; used as a support for an obelisk, statue, urn, etc.; or found in balustrades, terminating rows of balusters, and supporting vases etc. A Classical podium is a continuous elongated external pedestal, while inside a building it is expressed as a chair-rail, dado, and skirting. Orders used on triumphal arches have pedestals for reasons of composition and massing in the combination of arcuated and columnar and trabeated forms. See also Baluster.

ped·es·tal / ˈpedəstl/ • n. the base or support on which a statue, obelisk, or column is mounted. ∎ fig. a position in which one is greatly or uncritically admired: the heroes they have created and placed on pedestals. ∎  each of the two supports of a kneehole desk or table, typically containing drawers. ∎  the supporting column or base of a washbasin or toilet bowl.

pedestal base supporting a column, etc. XVI. — F. piédestal — It. piedestallo, i.e. piē foot, di of, stallo stall; the first syll. was conformed to L. pēs, ped- FOOT.