plinth

UK: /ˈplɪnθ/ US: /plɪnθ/ ,(plinth)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

plinth /plɪnθ/   n. [countable]

1. Architecture a square base or a lower block, as of a pedestal or a column.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

plinth  (plinth), n. [Archit.]

1. Architecture a slablike member beneath the base of a column or pier. See diag. under column. 
2. Architecture a square base or a lower block, as of a pedestal.
3. Building Also called plinth′ course′. a projecting course of stones at the base of a wall;
   earth table.
4. Building (in joinery) a flat member at the bottom of an architrave, dado, baseboard, or the like.

• Greek plínthos plinth, squared stone, brick, tile
• Latin
• earlier plinthus 1555–65

plinth′less, adj. 
plinth′like′, adj. 

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

plinth / plɪnθ/ noun

1. Also called: socle the rectangular slab or block that forms the lowest part of the base of a column, statue, pedestal, or pier
2. Also called: plinth course the lowest part of the wall of a building that appears above ground level, esp one that is formed of a course of stone or brick
3. a flat block on either side of a doorframe, where the architrave meets the skirting

Etymology: 17th Century: from Latin plinthus, from Greek plinthos brick, shaped stone