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A small piece of stone used in a mosaic work.
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Abacus |
The uppermost member of the capital of a column;
often a plain square slab, but sometimes molded or otherwise enriched.
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Abamurus |
A buttress or second wall added to strengthen
another
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Abaton |
A sanctuary not to be entered by the public;
a holy of holies. Abaton was a sacred place for the ancient Egyptians,
situated on the island of Bigeh in the Nile River.
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Abbey |
A house or place of residence occupied by a community
of persons living in seclusion under religious vows.
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Abutment |
A masonry mass which receives the thrust of an
arch, vault or strut.
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Ablaq |
In Islamic architecture, masonry laid in courses
of different colors giving a striped effect.
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Acanthus |
A common plant of the Mediterranean, whose leaves,
stylized, form the characteristic decoration of capitals of Corinthian
and Composite orders. In scroll form it appears on friezes, panels,
etc.
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Accordion Partition |
A fabric-faced door which is hung from an overhead
track and folds back like the bellows of an accordion. Typically
used in religious properties by allowing overflow space to be
walled off when not in use or to create smaller classrooms or
meeting rooms out of a larger assembly area.
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Accouplement |
The placement of columns or pilasters close together
in pairs.
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Acoustical Material |
A material usually fibrous designed to absorb
sound.
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Acoustical Panel |
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Acoustical Plaster |
A special low-density sound-absorptive plaster,
applied in the form of a finish coat, designed to provide a continuous
finished surface.
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Acoustics |
The science of sound, including the generation,
transmission, and effects of sound waves. The totality of those
physical characteristics of an auditorium or room such as the
size and shape of elements on the walls or ceiling which scatter
sound, the amount of sound absorption and noise level within the
room.
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Acrolith |
A statue or sculptured figure in which only the
head, hand and feet are of stone, the rest being usually of wood.
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Acropodium |
An ornament, such as a statue placed at the pinnacle
or corners of a roof of a structure, particularly if raised from
the sub-structure on supports. The plinth of a statue if resting
on supports.
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Acropolis |
The elevated stronghold of a Greek city, usually
with the temple of the patron divinity. The Acropolis in Athens
(shown to the right) Any elevated group of buildings serving as
a civic symbol.
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Acroterion |
A pedestal at the corners or peak of a roof to
support an ornament, or the ornament itself.
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Acute Arch |
An arch with a sharply pointed apex and narrow
width. Also known as lancet arch.
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Adytum |
The inner shrine of a temple reserved for priests.
The most sacred part of a place of worship. Adytum is a Latinized
form of Greek meaning "not to be entered", the innermost
sanctuary in ancient temples, access to which was forbidden to
all but the officiating priests. The most famous adytum in Greece
was in the Temple of Apollo at Delphi. |
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