Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Pedestal \Ped"es*tal\, n. [Sp. pedestal; cf. F. pi['e]destal,
   It. piedestallo; fr. L. es, pedis, foot + OHG. stal standing
   place, station, place, akin to E. stall. See {Foot}, and
   {Stall}, and {Footstall}.]
   1. (Arch.) The base or foot of a column, statue, vase, lamp,
      or the like; the part on which an upright work stands. It
      consists of three parts, the base, the die or dado, and
      the cornice or surbase molding. See Illust. of {Column}.

            Build him a pedestal, and say, ``Stand there!''
                                                  --Cowper.

   2.
      (a) (Railroad Cars) A casting secured to the frame of a
          truck and forming a jaw for holding a journal box.
      (b) (Mach.) A pillow block; a low housing.
      (c) (Bridge Building) An iron socket, or support, for the
          foot of a brace at the end of a truss where it rests
          on a pier.

   {Pedestal coil} (steam Heating), a group of connected
      straight pipes arranged side by side and one above
      another, -- used in a radiator.

Source : WordNet®

pedestal
     n 1: a support or foundation; "the base of the lamp" [syn: {base},
           {stand}]
     2: a position of great esteem (and supposed superiority); "they
        put him on a pedestal"
     3: an architectural support or base (as for a column or statue)
        [syn: {plinth}, {footstall}]