Medieval Architecture - Vocab Quiz

Front 1

ambulatory

Back 1

semicircular or polygonal circulation spaces enclosing an apse or straight-ended sanctuary

Front 2

apse

Back 2

semicircular or polygonal extension off of larger spaces; common in Roman Basilicas, and Christian churches as the holiest part of church and site of the altar

Front 3

archivolt

Back 3

molded or decorated bands around an arch, as, for example, in a series framing a tympanum

Front 4

atrium

Back 4

colonnaded forecourts of Early Christian churches

Front 5

barrel vault

Back 5

vaults of plain semicircular cross section supported by parallel walls or arcades

Front 6

basilica

Back 6

religious or secular building characterized by an oblong plan divided into a nave with two or more sides aisles, the former higher and wider that the latter and lit by clerestory windows; usually terminated by an apse

Front 7

bay

Back 7

repeated, similar divisions or compartments of a building or part of a building, as defined by recurring architectural features, such as arches, vaults, openings, or pilasters

Front 8

choir

Back 8

spaces in Christian churches, generally between the altar area or and the nave, reserved for choristers. For spaces containing altar area and the choir when present, use channels

Front 9

clerestory

Back 9

(also clearstory)--Upper zone of walls rising above adjacent roofs and pierced by windows so as to admit light to a high central rom or space flanked by lower rooms or spaces

Front 10

coffer

Back 10

recessed panels, usually square or octagonal, set into collages, vaults, or soffits

Front 11

column

Back 11

cylindrical or slightly tapering, vertical members made to either give support or to appear to give support. They usually comprise three sections: bass, capital, and shaft

Front 12

course (masonry)

Back 12

Layers of masonry units running horizontally in a wall or, much less commonly, curved over an arch

Front 13

dado

Back 13

lower zone of an interior wall, often given distinct treatment

Front 14

elevation

Back 14

drawing showing the vertical elements of a building, either exterior or interior, as a direct projection to a vertical plane

Front 15

entablature

Back 15

elaborated superstructure carried by columns in classical architecture, horizontally divided in architrave, frieze, and cornice. Use also for similar features in other contexts, suck as along the upper portions of walls

Front 16

exedra

Back 16

niche, recess, or sheltered space often semicircular and line with seals

Front 17

gable

Back 17

vertical triangular portions of the ends of buildings having double-sloping roofs

Front 18

groin vault

Back 18

compound vaults in which barrel units intersect forming ridges called groins

Front 19

impost block

Back 19

stone, usually with the shape of a truncated inverted pyramid, placed between capitals and arches that spring from them

Front 20

jamb

Back 20

vertical members at the either side of door frames, window frames, or the like

Front 21

martyrium

Back 21

place marking the burial (or the other important event) of a holy person

Front 22

molding

Back 22

long, regular channel or projection used for finishing and decorative purposes

Front 23

narthex

Back 23

entrance porch in early basilican churches, and for interior vestibule across the western end of later churches

Front 24

nave

Back 24

main central part of an interior divided into a high center with lower side portions divided by columns o piers, usually but not always in a church; used predominantly by the laity

Front 25

pendentive

Back 25

concave, curved wall surface which form a transition between a dome (or its drum) and the supporting masonry

Front 26

pier

Back 26

solid support of masonry pr another material designed to sustain vertical pressure; for cylindrical uprights, the term "column" is more often appropriate; for wooden uprights square in cross-section, "posts" may be more apropriate

Front 27

plan

Back 27

diagrams of any object, made made by projection upon a horizontal plan, showing the relationship of its parts

Front 28

plinth

Back 28

rectangular or square supporting element or lower block, as for columns, pilasters, or door framing; also solid monumental bases, often ornamented, used to support statues or memorials. For the bases of external walls or the platform-like base courses of buildings use "plinth courses"

Front 29

respond

Back 29

support, usually pilaster or collonette, engaged to a wall, that carries one end a an arch, a groin, or vault rib

Front 30

rib (of a vault)

Back 30

projecting band, usually of masonry, that supports or decorates domes or vaults

Front 31

sections (plans)

Back 31

orthographic drawing drawing of a building, object, or site as if cut through and exposed at one specific plane

Front 32

transept

Back 32

transverse arm of cruciform churches

Front 33

voussoir

Back 33

masonry unit that forms an arch vault (several voussoirs make up the archivolt, etc)

Front 34

squinch

Back 34

arched or corbelled transitional element that spans the interior corners of a square or polygonal structure serving to support a circular or polygonal structure to serving to support a circular or polygonal superstructure

Front 35

joint

Back 35

point of meeting two walls etc. Can be bonded (pieces interlaced) or unbonded (the pieces remain separate and about each other, called a 'butt joint')