pedestal Look up pedestal at Dictionary.com
1563, "base supporting a column, statue, etc.," from M.Fr. piédestal (1547), from It. piedistallo "base of a pillar," from pie "foot" + di "of" + stallo "stall, place, seat." Spelling in Eng. influenced by L. pedem "foot." Fig. sense of put (someone) on a pedestal "regard as highly admirable" is attested from 1859.