Acanthus A type of plant with deeply divide leaves
Aisle The part of a building divided off by an arcade
Altar A block or stand where offerings are made to a deity
Ambulatory An aisle enclosing a church choir
Antefix One of the vertical blocks used along the edge of a roof in the Classical period
Anthemion Stylized honeysuckle leaf
Antiquity The ancient Greek and Roman periods
Apex The pointed top of a gable or pediment
Applied Made separately and added later
Apse The curved east end of a church
Arabesques Scrolling foliage designs
Arcade A row of arches
Arch A curved opening in a wall
Architrave The lowest component of a Classical entablature; also the frame around an opening
Ashlar Stone masonry of regular blocks
Astragal A half round moulding
Atlas A support in the form of a male figure
Atrium An open-roofed entrance hall or central court
Balcony A projecting gallery or walkway
Baluster A vertical shaft supporting a rail
Balustrade A rail supported by balusters
Bargeboard A decorative board covering the angled sides of a roof gable
Baroque The extravagant European style of the 17th and 18th centuries
Base The lower part of a column
Basilica A Roman and Christian building type with an aisled nave
Battlement A parapet with alternating high and low sections; also call crenelation
Bay The vertical division of a building, often by windows or arches
BCE Before the current, Common or Christian era (period)
Beam A horizontal structural support
Beaux-Arts An elaborate late 19th and early 20th century architectural style
Bellcote A small gable holding bells
Bell tower A tower for bells
Biforate window A window with two openings, often with a roundel above; also called a Venetian arch
Blind (of an arch or tracery pattern) Placed against a wall without an opening behind it
Blind arcade A blank arcade without openings
Bond A pattern of laying bricks
Boss A central stone locking together vault ribs
Bow window A curved bay window
Brace A diagonal support linking a series of uprights
Bressumer A large, horizontal supporting beam that bears the weight of a wall starting on a first or higher storey
Bucrania Ox skulls used as ornament, usually with garlands
Bust The head and shoulders of a human figure
Buttery A room in a medieval house for storing wet foods
Buttress A mass of masonry built against a wall to reinforce it
Caisson A sealed, watertight concrete structure used as a foundation in wet conditions
Came A lead strip holding stained glass
Canopy A projecting ornamental hood
Canted Angled
Cantilever An overhanging projection with no support on its outside edge
Capital The top of a column
Cartouche An ornamental frame, usually oval or round
Caryatid A sculpted female figure used as a support
Casement window A window with hinged panes
CE In the current, Common or Christian era
Cella The enclosed inner sacred area of a Classical temple
Cement A lime-based paste that binds together and sets hard; it is used in mortar, concrete and as render
Chamfer A bevelled edge
Chapel A subsection of a church with its own altar; or a small church
Chevron A V-shape or zigzag
Choir That part of a church reserved for singers
Cladding An exterior covering
Clapboard A type of wooden cladding
Classical Of the ancient Greek and Roman periods
Clerestory A row of high level windows
Coffering A pattern of sunken panels
Colonette A small column
Colonnade A row of columns
Column A freestanding shaft often supporting an arch or entablature
Concrete A mixture of cement and aggregate (sand and stones) that dries very hard; used as a building material
Conoids Cone-shaped structures that form the fans of a fan vault
Console A bracket support with an inward curving scroll at the top and an outward curving scroll at the bottom
Corbel A projecting block or capital supporting an arch or shaft above
Corinthian One of the five Classical orders
Cornice A horizontal projecting moulding, especially the topmost component of an entablature;more recently a method of linear finish between wall and ceiling in a room
Cottage Orne An ornamental cottage in a fanciful rural style; often intended to form part of a picturesque landscape
Crenellation Battlement
Cresting An ornamental feature on top of a horizontal element
Crocket A projecting stylised foliage knob
Crossing The area in a church where nave, transepts and choir intercept
Cruciform Cross shaped
Cupola A small decorative form of dome
Curtain wall A thin non-structural wall in front of a structural frame
Cusp A decorative point within an arch
Cyclopean masonry Very large masonry
Dado Lower part of an internal wall when finished differently to the upper part; usually to about waist height
Decorated A style of English Gothic architecture
Dentil moulding A row of small square blocks
Diaper A pattern of repeated squares or lozenges
Diocletian window A half round opening with three subsections
Doric One of the five classical orders
Dormer A window projecting from a roof
Double-hung window A sash window with two sliding sections
Dovecote A building for raising doves or pigeons for food
Drip moulding Hood moulding
Dry stone walling Masonry made without mortar
Eared Of an architrave; with projections at upper corners
Eaves That part of a roof that projects beyond the wall
Egg and dart A type of moulding resembling egg shapes alternating with dart shapes
Elevation Any of the vertical faces of a building, internal or external
Embrassure The sides of a window opening
English garden wall bond An arrangement of bricks with three courses laid as stretchers followed by one las headers
Enfilade A series of rooms leading off each other with the doors aligned
Engaged Attached to the wall; of a column particularly
Entablature The whole of the horizontal structure above capitals in a Classical order
Exedra A large niche
Façade The front exterior face of a building
Facet One exterior face of a geometric shape
Fanligh A semi-circular window over a door
Federal style American neoclassical architecture 1776-1830 CE
Fenestration Openings in a building’s façade; the arrangement of windows and doors
Festoon Curved foliage and fruit garland tied with ribbons
Fielded panel Square or rectangular panel with raised central sections
Finial Decorative knob on top of a gable, post or other upright
Flamboyant Late medieval style of Gothic architecture characterised by flowing motifs
Fleche Small spire, usually of lead covered timber
Flemish bond An arrangement of bricks with alternate stretchers and headers in each course
Flue The pipe inside a chimney that conducts smoke outwards
Fluting Parallel concave channels on a column or surface
Flying buttress Freestanding arched buttress
Flying freehold Part of a freehold property that overhangs or projects over neighbouring land not belonging to it
Framing A structural skeleton in wood or metal
Frieze A decorative horizontal band, especially the central component of an entablature
French doors or windows Full length casement windows opening like doors onto a balcony orterrace
Fresco A painting with pigment applied directly into wet plaster
Gable The pointed end wall of a roof
Gallery An internal passage, usually open on one side
Gargoyle A grotesque water spout
Garland A band of flowers and foliage
Georgian English architectural style c1714-1830
Giant order An arch encompassing two or more storeys
Glazed Made of glass; glossy
Glazing bar Small vertical or horizontal wooden bar holding the panes in a sash window; also called a muntin
Gothic European architectural style c1150-1500
Gothic revival A late 18th and 19th century Gothic inspired style
Greek Architectural style of ancient Greece from 7th to 2nd centuries BCE
Greek revival A late 18th and early 19th century style drawing on ancient Greek examples
Groin vault An intersecting barrel vault without ribs
Grotesque Fantastic or mythical; often refers to figure combing human, animal and foliage forms
Guilloche Decorative pattern of interlaced circles
Half-timber Having exposed timber framing
Hall An entranceway; also the main room of a medieval house
Hammerbeam A short roof timber cantilevered out to carry an upright
Header A brick laid with its end appearing on the face of the wall
Head stop The end of a moulding that is carved with a human face
Hearth A fireproof floor area for making a fire
Heraldic Using, or pertaining to, heraldry
Heraldry The system of coats of arms and symbolic badges
Hipped roof A roof that is pitched at the ends as well as the sides
Historiated Depicting a narrative
Hood moulding A three-sided moulding over a window or door; also called drip moulding
Imbrex (pl imbrices) A curved tile used to cover joints between Roman tiles (tegulae)
Infill Material used to fill spaces between the components of a framework
Ionic One of the five Classical orders
Jamb The vertical part of a door or window opening
Jetty An overhanging upper storey
Joist A horizontal timber supporting a floor or ceiling
Keep The main tower of a castle
Keystone The central block that locks an arch together
Kingpost A central vertical post in a roof
Lancet A tall, narrow, pointed, early Gothic window
Lantern A turret or tower, on top of a roof or dome, to let in light
Lath and plaster Thin strips of wood to which plaster adheres to form both walls and ceilings; laths are usually riven (split)
Lesesne A decorative stonework strip
Lierne A purely decorative vaulting rib running between two other ribs
Light An individual opening in a window
Lintel The beam over an opening, supported on jambs or columns
Loggia A gallery with an open colonnade along one or more sides
Louvre A small structure or opening for ventilation
Lozenge A diamond shape
Lucarne A small Gothic dormer window
Lunette A half round window; often a fanlight
Machicolation An opening that enabled missiles to be dropped from a parapet onto an enemy
Mantel A lintel or shelf above a fireplace
Mantelpiece A decorative structure around a fireplace
Mask Decorative human or animal face
Mason Someone who builds in stone or brick
Masonry Stone or brick construction
Meander A snaking pattern of straight lines joined at angles
Medieval The period or European history c1000-1550 CE
Metope A plain or decorated slab on a Doric frieze; alternates with triglyphs
Micro-architecture Miniature architectural motifs such as arches and gables used decoratively
Minaret A tower associated with a mosque, for calling the faithful to prayer
Modernist The architectural style current from c1920 to the late 20th century
Modillion A horizontal scroll bracket below a cornice
Moulding A strip with a shaped or decorated surface
Mortar Paste made of lime or cement, used in between blocks or bricks
Mortice Hole or slot for a tenon; used to join pieces of wood
Mosaic A picture made of tiny colour tiles
Motif A decorative element, usually repeated
Mouchette A teardrop shape used in Gothic tracery
Mullion A vertical element dividing a window into sections
Muntin Small vertical or horizontal wooden bar holding the panes in a sash window; also called a glazing bar
Naturalistic Lifelike
Nave The area of a church reserved for lay people
Neoclassical An architectural style based on Classical precedents; fashionable in the 18th and early 19th centuries
Newel Central post of a spiral stair; also the end post of a straight stair
Niche Ornamental recess, often curved at the back and top
Norman An architectural style c1000-1200 CE; also known as Romanesque
Obelisk A tall, four-sided, tapering form
Oculus A round window
Oeil de boeuf A round or oval window
Ogee Compound curve of two parts, one convex, the other concave
Orders The five accepted styles of Classical columns and entablatures
Oriel A bay window starting above ground level
Overmantel Decorative feature or panel above a fireplace surround
Palladian In the style of Andrea Palladio 1508-80 CE
Palladian window An opening with two straight sidelights whose entablatures support a central arched opening
Palmette Stylised palm leaf
Panelling Decorative wooden or plaster wall covering with areas defined by mouldings
Pantile A curved clay overlapping roof tile
Parapet The edge of a wall projecting above roof level
Pedestal The substructure below a column; or supporting a statue
Pediment The gable above a Classical portico; also a gable form used decoratively
Pelmet See Valance
Pendentive A curved triangular area between a round dome and its rectangular base
Peristyle A Classical colonnade around a building or courtyard
Perpendicular A 15th century style of English Gothic architecture, characterised by panelled effects on walls and windows
Picturesque A late 18th century aesthetic movement that stressed variety and drama; literally like a picture
Pier A masonry support like a column, but larger and more solid
Pilaster A flat column form, usually attached to a wall
Pillar A column or pier
Pinnacle An ornamental structure, usually pointed, on top of a buttress or other structure
Pitch The slope of a roof
Plan A horizontal section or drawing showing the arrangement of spaces in a building
Plaster Finely ground lime or gypsum paste for interior wall finishings
Plate glass Large sheet glass
Plinth A plain projecting support at the bottom of a wall, column or other upright
Podium A platform supporting a Classical temple
Polychrome Multicoloured
Porch A partially enclosed space in front of a door
Portal A door
Porte cochere A covered passage allowing access for vehicles, or an open porch large enough to drive under
Portico A covered area with a colonnaded front
Post A vertical timber support
Purlin A horizontal beam along the length of a roof
Putlog hole A gap left in masonry to support scaffolding; sometimes known as putlock
Quatrefoil A four lobed shape
Queen Anne An eclectic 19th century style with mixed Gothic and Baroque detailing
Quoin Large block used to strengthen angles and corners
Rafter A long, angled roof timber supporting the covering
Renaissance The revival of Classical forms and learning in Italy in the 15th and 16th centuries; and in Northern Europe during the 16th and 17th centuries
Render A paste of lime or cement and aggregates (sand, stone, shells) used as a waterproof wallcovering; also called stucco
Respond An attached half shaft at the end of an arcade
Reveal Vertical inner face of an opening
Rib An arched moulding on a vault
Ridge The top edge of a roof
Riser The vertical part of a step
Riven Split rather than sawn; of wood and stone
Rococo A light and delicate 18th century style
Roman Pertaining to ancient Rome, especially the Roman empire 27 BCE - 330 CE
Romanesque The architectural style of c1000-1200 CE; known also as Norman in both England and Normandy
Rotunda A circular room
Roundel Small circular frame or motif
Rubble Masonry with irregular shaped blocks
Rustication Masonry cut so the centre of each block projects
Sash window A window with vertically, or occasionally horizontally, sliding wooden frames that hold the glass panes
Scagliola A paste made of pigment, plaster and glue
Scotia A hollow moulding
Scroll An S shaped curve
Semidome A half dome
Serlian window A Palladian window; also known as a Venetian window
Shaft The cylindrical body of a column
Shingle A wooden tile; also a late 19th century variation of the Queen Anne style
Shutters Wooden doors used to cover a window
Soffit The underside of an architectural component, such as an arch
Slate Fine grained grey, green or bluish-purple stone easily split into smooth flat plates; mostly used as a roofing material
Spandrel The triangular area between an arch and its rectangular surround
Spire The tall, tapering top of a church tower; also called a steeple
Splay An angled surface
Spolia Reused material, often with a symbolic meaning
Springer The blocks from which a vault rises
Squinch Filling between a dome and the building below; blocky in appearance, less sophisticated than a pendentive
Stained glass Coloured glass
Stall riser The solid lower section of a shop window
Steeple See spire
Storey A level, or floor of a building
Strapwork Decorative pattern resembling leather straps
Stretcher bond Bricks laid so their sides are visible at the wall face
String The diagonal side of a staircase; it can be closed (solid) or open, showing the ends of the treads and risers
String course A raised horizontal moulding that visually divides storeys; also called a plat band
Stucco See render
Studs Uprights, the common posts, in timber framed walls
Stylised Abstract or symbolic in depiction
Stylobate The upper step of the base, or podium, of a Classical temple
Subdome A partial dome, often used to support a larger dome
Surround A frame or architrave
Tas de charge The point at which vault ribs begin to emerge, or spring, from the wall surface
Temple A religious building, especially Greek or Roman
Tegula (pl tegulea) Roman roof tile, originally flat but later having small raised edges to support an imbrex tile over the joint
Terrace A row of houses joined together; a raised platform in a garden
Tierceron A decorative rib running between a structural rib and the central ridge rib
Torus A half round, or roll, moulding
Tourelle A small turret projecting from the wall above ground level
Tower A structure, considerably taller than it is wide
Trabeated A form of construction with vertical posts and horizontal beams (lintels)
Tracery Decorative stone bars in a Gothic window
Transept Part of a church that projects at right angles from the nave
Transom Horizontal bar across a window; also the upper part of a door frame
Tread The horizontal part of a step
Trefoil A three-lobed form
Triforium The middle story of a Gothic cathedral
Triglyph A three grooved panel on a Doric frieze; its alternates with metopes
Trumeau A post in the centre of a portal supporting the centre of tympanum
Tudor The period of English history from 1485 to 1603 CE
Tufa A type of lightweight volcanic stone
Turret A small tower, especially one starting above ground level
Tuscan One of the five Classic orders
Tympanum The area between a door lintel and an arch above
Valance The fabric or wooden covering above a window; also called a pelmet
Vault A curve stone ceiling
Venetian arch Two openings, often with a roundel above; also called a biforate window
Victorian Pertaining to the reign of Queen Victoria 1837-1901 CE
Villa A country or suburban house
Volute Spiral curve or scroll
Voussoir Wedge shaped block in an arch
Wainscot An area of wooden panelling on the lower parts of walls in a room
Wall plate In timber framed buildings, a timber laid lengthwise at ground level to receive studs; also on top of a wall in masonry buildings, to receive the end of roof rafters and other joists
Weatherboarding Cladding formed of overlapping horizontal boards
Weathervane A pivoting roof ornament to show wind direction
Webbing Surfaces between the ribs of a vault
Wing The side part of a building
Yorkshire sash Sash window sliding horizontally
York stone A tight grained sandstone specifically from quarries in Yorkshire and worked since the middle ages. Known for hard wearing, durable qualities