1. Plural of metopa; the square spaces between triglyphs in a Doric frieze of classical architecture.
Usage: architecture; classical; technical

Examples

• The metopae of the Parthenon were decorated with sculptural reliefs.
• Ancient Greek architects carefully designed the metopae to complement the triglyphs.
• The metopae in Doric order typically featured mythological scenes.
• Scholars studied the metopae to understand classical artistic conventions.