Frieze

(freez), n. [Fr. frise, O. Fr. frēse, Sp. frisa, friso, originally a woolen cloth or stuff from Friesland (Fr. & O. Eng. Frise, Pr. Frisa, Lat. Frisia), L. Lat. Frisii panni and frisatus pannus, a shaggy woolen cloth, Ger. fries. Cf. FRAISE.] [Written also frize.] [See Illust. of Column.]

1Sense 1. A kind of coarse woolen cloth or stuff, with a nap on one side. “Robes of frieze.” Goldsmith.

2Sense 2. (Arch.) That part of the entablature of a column which is between the architrave and cornice. It is a flat member or face, often enriched with figures of animals, or other ornaments of sculpture, whence its name.

Cornice or frieze with bossy sculptures graven. Milton.