arc-boutant

 

arc-boutant (plural arc-boutants)

1. (architecture) Synonym of flying buttress
   
   
    
   
   
   
   

transpontine

Adjective

transpontine (not comparable)

1. Of, pertaining to, or situated on the far side of a bridge
2. Of, or pertaining to the sensational melodramas presented on the south side of the Thames in the 19th century or earlier.

   Such transpontine spectacles are not usually seen in our local theatre

Spandrel

A spandrel is the space between two arches or between an arch and a rectangular enclosure.

parhelion

A sun dog or sundog (scientific name parhelion, plural parhelia, for "beside the sun") is a common bright circular spot on a solar halo. It is an atmospheric optical phenomenon primarily associated with the reflection or refraction of sunlight by small ice crystals making up cirrus or cirrostratus clouds. Often, two sun dogs can be seen (one on each side of the sun) simultaneously.

murder-hole

A murder-hole or meurtrière is a hole in the ceiling of a gateway or passageway in a fortification through which the defenders can fire, throw or pour dangerous or noxious substances at attackers. As a result, the defenders would be able to rain rocks, arrows, heated sand, boiling oil, water and incendiary devices, and other substances down on the attackers' heads. Similar holes, called machicolations, were often located in the curtain walls of castles, fortified manor houses and city walls. The parapet would project over corbels so that holes would be located over the exterior face of the wall, and arrows could be shot at, rocks dropped on, or boiling water poured over, any attackers near the wall.

voussoir

A voussoir is a wedge-shaped element, typically a stone, used in building an arch.

Although each unit of stone in an arch or vault is known as a voussoir, there are two specified voussoir components of an arch: the keystone and the springer. The keystone is the center stone or masonry unit at the apex of an arch, often decorated, embellished or exaggerated in size. No true arching action occurs until this unit is in place. The springer is the lowermost voussoir, located where the curve of the arch springs from the vertical support or abuttment of the wall or pier.

Extrados

The upper or exterior curve of an arch.

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