Architecture Gothic and Renaissance

Architecture Gothic and Renaissance by Edward J. Poynter GLOSSARY OF TECHNICAL WORDS. Abacus.-The upper portion of the capital of a column, upon which the weight to be carried rests. Aisle (Lat. ala).-The side subdivision in a church; occasionally all the subdivisions, including the nave, are called aisles. Apse.-A semicircular or polygonal termination to, or projection from, a church or other public building. Arcade.-A range of arches, supported on piers or columns. Arch.-A construction of wedge-shaped blocks of stone, or of bricks, of a curved outline, and spanning an open space. The principal forms of arch in use are Semicircular; Acutely-pointed, or Lancet; Equilateral, or Less Acutely-pointed; Four-centred, or Depressed Tudor; Three-centred, or Elliptic; Ogival; Segmental; and Stilted. (Figs. .) Architrave.-(1) The stone which in Classic and Renaissance architecture is thrown from one column or pilaster to the next. (2) The moulding which in the same styles is used to ornament the margin of a door or window opening or arch. Ashlar.-Finely-wrought masonry, employed for the facing of a wall of coarser masonry or brick. Attic (In Renaissance Architecture).-A low upper story, distinctly marked in the architecture of the building, usually surmounting an order; (2) in ordinary building, any story in a roof. Bailey (from vallum).-The enclosure of the courtyard of a castle. Ball-flower.-An ornament representing a globular bud, placed usually in a hollow moulding. Baluster.-A species of small column, generally of curved outline. Balustrade.-A parapet or rail formed of balusters. We are delighted to publish this classic book as part of our extensive Classic Library collection. Many of the books in our collection have been out of print for decades, and therefore have not been accessible to the general public. The aim of our publishing program is to facilitate rapid access to this vast reservoir of literature, and our view is that this is a significant literary work, which deserves to be brought back into print after many decades. The contents of the vast majority of titles in the Classic Library have been scanned from the original works. To ensure a high quality product, each title has been meticulously hand curated by our staff. Our philosophy has been guided by a desire to provide the reader with a book that is as close as possible to ownership of the original work. We hope that you will enjoy this wonderful classic work, and that for you it becomes an enriching experience.