Architectural and Engineering Glossary
A
A system of lacing in which angle irons are used in place of bars.
A luminaire whose light distribution is asymmetric with respect to a direction of specific interest.
A modillion at the corner of a cornice.
A landing newel.
A niche formed at the corner of a building;common in medieval architecture.
The angle between the axis of an illuminator and a perpendicular to the surface being illuminated.
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A hand tool used to finish a plastered surface.
A pier,2 at the intersection of two walls,constructed on the external angle.
In half-timber construction,the corner post.
A hip rafter.
A timber that is cut from a square rail to form two lengthwise pieces which are triangular in cross section.
1.In decorative work,a molding that ornaments an angle.2.In Gothic architecture,one of the diagonal ribs,1 that divides each of the rectangles of a vault.
A hip rafter.
A structural steel member having an L-shaped cross section.
1.A column within the right angled recesses of Norman door and window jambs.2.A decorative member, such as a colonnette or enriched corner bead,attached to an external angle of a building.
A narrow strip of wood used to conceal the joint between a wall and a vertical wood surface which makes an angle with the wall,as at the edge of a corner cabinet.
Same as quoin.
An angle-shaped structural member which is designed to carry a compression load.
A margin trowel.
A valve for controlling the flow of a liquid or air;the fluid leaves at right angles to the direction in which it enters the valve.
Same as bowtell.
A bay window that is tri angular in plan and protrudes outward from a wall.
See diagonal chimney stacks.
A stair whose successive flights are at an angle other than 180° to each other (often the angles are at 90°),with an intermediate platform between them.
Same as bulldozer.
A groove,usually containing an angle of 90.
Same as angle tile.
A natural mineral calcium sulfate,used in the manufacture of portland cement to control its set.
See lime.
A black pigment made by charring of animal bones;sometimes used in paints,although carbon black generally is preferred for tinting strength and blackness.Available in three grades:boneblack,drop black,and ivory black.
Descriptive of a material (such as wood) that does not have the same physical properties in all directions.
Glass created by a process that moves it,in a molten form, along a long oven where it is heated and then slowly cooled under controlled conditions,emerging as a flat,“fire polished” glass product.
See soft copper tube.
A subsidiary structure near or adjoining a larger principal building.
A layer of wood produced during one year of a tree’s growth.
Said of a ring shaped structure or object.
A crypt in a church that has a semicircular ambulatory leading to the main chamber,which contains a relic of a saint.
Any molding that is circular in plan,such as the torus at the base of a column.
A nail with circular ridges around its shaft;provides greater holding power than a nail without such ridges.
A barrel vault in the shape of a ring,instead of a straight line;covers a space of which the plan is formed by the area between two concentric circles,or any portion of such a space.
A shaft or cluster of shafts fitted,at intervals,with rings.
A small molding,usually circular in plan and square or angular in section;esp.one of the fillets encircling the lower part of the Doric capital above the necking.
1.A signaling device,usually electrically operated,that emits an audible signal and/or a visual indication under selected circumstances;for example,it may sound an alarm in the case of fire or unauthorized entry.2.See car annunciator.
On drawings,abbr.for anodize.
The surface finish resulting from anodizing;may be transparent or colored by the use of a dye or pigment in the anodizing process.
To provide a hard,noncorrosive,electrolytic,oxide film on the surface of a metal,particularly aluminum,by electrolytic action.
The capital of an anta.
Dating before or existing before the US Civil War (1861–1865).
A room,often spacious and elegant,leading to a private audience room or cabinet.
1.A room preceding a chamber.2.A foyer,lobby,or vestibule.
