Aaron MacLean, age 9, of Erie, Penn., for his question:

WHAT IS A GARGOYLE?

A gargoyle is a decorated waterspout projecting from the upper part of a building, usually from the roof gutter. Gargoyles became important features of Gothic Cathedrals, palaces and other buildings. They were stone figures that were half human and half animal or half bird.

In order to drain water off roofs, ancient Greek architects often placed terra cotta or marble lion heads on the roof cornice. The water emptied out of the lions’ mouths. Gothic architects used this same idea in’ their gargoyles. But the Gothic gargoyles were more dramatic in appearance. Also, they projected from buildings as much as three feet.

The dramatic gargoyles from Gothic architects definitely had practical purposes. They were drainspouts designed to protect building walls from rainwater that ran dwon from the roof.

The word gargoyle comes from the Latin word gurgulio, meaning gullet, a meaning which refers to the draining purpose. People often apply the word incorrectly to grotesque figures not used for drains. The correct word for figures of this kind is chimeres, or chimeras.

Witty stonemasons of the Gothic period often used gargoyles to portray their patrons or colleagues in grotesque form.