Met"o*pe (?), n. [NL., fr. Gr. ; with, between + opening, hole, the hole in the frieze between the beam ends.]
1. Arch.
The space between two triglyphs of the Doric frieze, which, among the ancients, was often adorned with carved work. See Illust. of Entablature.
2. Zool.
The face of a crab.
⇒ In the Parthenon, groups of centaurs and heroes in high relief occupy the metopes.
© Webster 1913.