Architecture Glossary

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A

Abacus – The flat slab on the top of a capital: in Greek Doric a tick square slab; in Greek Ionic, Tuscan, Roman Doric and Ionic, square with the lower edge moulded; in Corinthian and Composite with concave sides and the corners cut off.

Abutment – Solid masonry placed to counteract the lateral thrust of a vault or arch

Acanthus - A Mediterranean plant whose leaves are stylised into decoration for the capitals of Corinthian and Composite order columns as well as friezes and wall panels. See also Greek, Roman and Agraffe.

Acroteria – Plinths for statues or ornaments placed at the apex and ends of a pediment; also, more loosely, both the plinths and what stands on them.

Addorsed – Term applied to two figures, usually animals, placed symmetrically back to back; often found on capitals.

Adyton or Adytum – The inner sanctuary of a Greek temple whence oracles were delivered; also, more loosely, any private chamber or sanctuary.

Aedicule – Properly a shrine framed by two columns supporting an entablature and pediment, set in a temple and containing a statue; but also, more loosely, the framing of a door, window or other opening with two columns, piers or pilasters supporting a gable, lintel, plaque, or an entablature and pediment.

Affronted – Term applied to two figures, usually animals, placed symmetrically facing each other, often found on capitals.

Agraffe - (or agrafe) A decorative central keystone in an arch, often carved with a human face, cartouche or floral design.

Altana – A covered terrace or loggia raised above the roof, like a belvedere. Venetian in origin and usually of wood, it was intended for drying clothes and is still so used in Venice.

Alure – An alley or place to walk in, especially behind a parapet or round the roof of a church.

Ambulatory – A semicircular or polygonal aisle enclosing an apse or a straight-ended sanctuary; originally used for processional purposes.

Amphiprostyle – Term applied to a temple with porticos at each end, but without columns along the sides.

Ancones – Brackets or consoles on either side of a doorway, supporting a cornice

Anta – A pilaster of which the base and capital do not conform with the order used elsewhere on the building; it is usually placed at the ends of the projecting walls of a temple portico or pronaus.

Antefixae – Ornamental blocks on the edge of a roof to conceal the ends of the tiles.

Anthemion – Ornament reminiscent of a honeysuckle flowers alternating with palms leaves or palmettes, common in ancient Greek and Roman architecture.

Anticlastic – Of a surface, having curvatures in opposite senses (concave and convex) in different directions through any point, as in a hyperbolic paraboloid roof.

Apex - The highest point of a structure. The apex can be plain or decorated with an acroterion, an acropodium, a symbol, or a finial.

Apophyge – The slight curve at the top and bottom of a column where the shaft joins the capital or base.

Appliquι - An ornamental or decorative material applied to the finish of a structure, not of the structure's original material.

Sant'Apollinare - Ravenna Apse – A vaulted semicircular or polygonal termination, usually to a chancel or chapel.

Arabesque - Used by the Arabs and Saracens (or Moors) in Spain, this ornament is a painted, inlaid or mosaic low relief of geometric or botanical patterns.

Arcade – A range of arches carried on piers or columns, either free-standing or blind, i. E. attached to a walls.

Arcade Doge's Palace - Venice - Italy (1419)

Arch - A basic architectural structure composed of bricks or stones so arranged as by mutual pressure to support one another. See also extrados, intrados and voussoir

Architrave - The lowest division of the entablature in classical architecture . The main lintel or beam spanning from column to column. Concentric arch mouldings which make an archivolt are also considered architraves.

Santa Maria dei Miracoli – Rome - 1677

Archivolt - A group of mouldings (or other elements) surrounding an arched opening, corresponding to the architrave in the case of a rectangular opening.

Atrium - An open inner courtyard. An atrium was originally the central court or main room of an ancient Roman house, open to the sky, often with a shallow pool to catch rainwater.

Awning - A metal, glass, or cloth protective roof over a window, deck ,or door to offer shade or relief from rain.

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