2  definitions  found 
 
  From  Webster's  Revised  Unabridged  Dictionary  (1913)  [web1913]: 
 
  Pedestal  \Ped"es*tal\,  n.  [Sp.  pedestal;  cf  F.  pi['e]destal, 
  It  piedestallo  fr  L.  es  pedis,  foot  +  OHG.  stal  standing 
  place  station,  place  akin  to  E.  stall.  See  {Foot},  and 
  {Stall},  and  {Footstall}.] 
  1.  (Arch.)  The  base  or  foot  of  a  column,  statue,  vase,  lamp, 
  or  the  like  the  part  on  which  an  upright  work  stands.  It 
  consists  of  three  parts  the  base,  the  die  or  dado,  and 
  the  cornice  or  surbase  molding.  See  Illust.  of  {Column}. 
 
  Build  him  a  pedestal,  and  say  ``Stand  there!'' 
  --Cowper. 
 
  2. 
  a  (Railroad  Cars)  A  casting  secured  to  the  frame  of  a 
  truck  and  forming  a  jaw  for  holding  a  journal  box. 
  b  (Mach.)  A  pillow  block;  a  low  housing. 
  c  (Bridge  Building)  An  iron  socket,  or  support,  for  the 
  foot  of  a  brace  at  the  end  of  a  truss  where  it  rests 
  on  a  pier. 
 
  {Pedestal  coil}  (steam  Heating),  a  group  of  connected 
  straight  pipes  arranged  side  by  side  and  one  above 
  another,  --  used  in  a  radiator. 
 
  From  WordNet  r  1.6  [wn]: 
 
  pedestal 
  n  1:  a  support  or  foundation;  "the  base  of  the  lamp"  [syn:  {base}, 
  {stand}] 
  2:  a  position  of  great  esteem  (and  supposed  superiority);  "they 
  put  him  on  a  pedestal" 
  3:  an  architectural  support  or  base  (as  for  a  column  or  statue) 
  [syn:  {plinth},  {footstall}] 

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