noun
- A molded or carved ornamental projection that forms the transition between a wall and a sloping roof, or between a cornice and a roof surface.
Usage: architecture; also spelled 'coypu' in some contexts, though 'coyau' is the standard architectural term
Examples
- The coyau beneath the eaves added an elegant finishing touch to the colonial mansion.
- Architects specified a decorative coyau to conceal the joint where the roof met the exterior wall.
- The damaged coyau required careful restoration to match the original design.
- A well-designed coyau can improve both the aesthetic and functional qualities of a building's roofline.