Acanthus

An ornament resembling the foliage or leaves of the acanthus plant, used in the capitals of the Corinthian and Composite orders of architecture.

Abutment

That on which a thing rests, or by which it is supported, as the abutment of an arch.

Arcade

A series of arches supported by columns or piers, either open or backed by masonry. A long, arched building.

Arris

The edge formed by two surfaces meeting each other, applied particularly to the raised edges which separate the flu tings in a Doric column.

Arris Fillet

A triangular piece of wood used to raise the covering of a roof against a chimney or wall so as to throw off the rain.

Abacus

The upper plate upon the capital of a column supporting the architrave.

Architrave

The lower division of an entablature, or that part which rests immediately on the column. The ornamental moulding around the exterior of an arch. This term is also applied to door and window-casings.

Annulet

A small, flat fillet encircling a column. It is several times repeated under the Doric capital.

Arch

A construction of stone or brick arranged in the form of a curve, supporting each other by their mutual pressure.

Astragal

A little round moulding, which surrounds the top or bottom of a column.

Buck-flaps

Rather long, square hinges, considerably shorter than strap-hinges, but applied in the same manner.

Baluster

A small column used to support a rail.

Balustrade

A row of balusters topped by a rail, serving as a fence for balconies, stairs, etc.

Baicony

A platform projecting from the outside walls of a house, generally enclosed by a balustrade.

Baldachin

A structure in the form of a canopy, supported by columns or projecting from the wall, placed over doors, thrones, etc.

Band

A low. flat moulding, broad, but not deep.

Bartizan.- - The small, overhanging turret which projects from the angles of towers and other parts of a building.

Base

The lower projecting part of a room, consisting of the plinth and its mouldings. The part of a column between the top of the pedestal and the bottom of the shaft.

Baston

A round moulding in the base of a column; also called Torus.

Battlement

A notched parapet: originally used only on fortifications, but since used on buildings.

Batten

A narrow strip of board used to cover seams or joints in boarding. Any narrow strip of board.

Bay-window

A window projecting outward from the wall, either in a rectangular, polygonal, or semi-circular form. Sometimes called Bow-window.

Bead

A round moulding. When it comes flush with the surrounding surface, it is called a Quirk-bead. when it is raised, it is called a Cock-bead. There is also the Plastering-bead, which is nailed on to the corner of the stud or furring which forms the external angle of a partition. It is sometimes called a Rule Joint-bead.

Beam

A horizontal timber used to resist a force or weight, as a Tie-beam, where it is used to tie the work together; as a Collar-beam, when it is used to connect and brace two opposite rafters.

Blockings - Small pieces of wood fitted and glued in the internal angle formed by the side of one board being fastened to the edge of another, and used to give strength to the joint.

To Break Joints

To arrange the work so that no joint of any course shall come opposite a joint in either the course next above or below it, as seen in shingling, clapboarding, slating, etc.

Butt-joint

A joint formed by the meeting of the square ends of two pieces of wood, or the joint formed by the square end of one piece meeting the side or edge of another piece.

Bracket

A piece of wood, stone, or metal projecting from a wall to support shelves, statuary, etc.

Buttress

A projecting support to the exterior of a wall; most commonly applied to churches in the Gothic style, but also to other buildings, and sometimes to mere walls.

Flying Buttress

A contrivance for strengthening a part of a building which rises considerably above the rest, consisting of a curved brace or half-arch between it and the opposite face of some lower part, so named from its passing through the air.

Carriage of a stair, also called Stringer

The timber which supports the steps and risers.

Canopy

An ornamental projection in the Gothic style over doors and windows.

Cantilever

A projecting block or bracket for supporting a balcony, the upper member of a cornice, the eaves of a house, etc.

Capital

The header or uppermost part of a column, pilaster, etc. There are six varieties, each adapted to its respective order; viz., the Gothic, which is ornamented with leaves and foliations; the Composite, also called the Roman or Italic, which is a combination of the Ionic and Corinthian; the Tuscan, which is plain and unornamented, much resembling the Doric. the Corinthian, which is distinguished by its profusion of ornaments; the Doric, which much resembles the Tuscan, and is between that and the Ionic in ornamentation; and the Ionic, whose distinguishing feature is the volute of its capital, and is less ornamented than the Corinthian.

Caul

A piece of board used in veneering for the purpose of clamping the veneer to the surface to which it is to be glued.

Casement

A glazed sash or frame which opens on hinges.

Castellated

Adorned with turrets and battlements like a castle.

Catherine-wheel Window

An ornamental circular window with radiating divisions or spokes.

Casting or Warping

The bending of a board widthways, caused either by one side shrinking or swelling more than the other, or by the peculiar grain of the wood.