The Gothic gargoyle was usually a grotesque bird or animal sitting on the back of a cornice and projecting forward for several feet in order to throw the water far from the building.

• 原指古典建筑檐口的狮头形排水口或在庞贝城常见的陶制排水口。此词后来专指欧洲中世纪那些奇形怪状雕刻的排水口。