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Space above an arch
Answer for the clue "Space above an arch ", 8 letters:
spandrel
Alternative clues for the word spandrel
Word definitions for spandrel in dictionaries
WordNet
Word definitions in WordNet
n. an approximately triangular surface area between two adjacent arches and the horizontal plane above them [syn: spandril ]
Douglas Harper's Etymology Dictionary
Word definitions in Douglas Harper's Etymology Dictionary
"triangular space between the outer curve of an arch and the molding enclosing it," late 15c., apparently a diminutive of Anglo-French spaundre (late 14c.), which is of uncertain origin, perhaps a shortening of Old French espandre "to expand, extend, spread," ...
The Collaborative International Dictionary
Word definitions in The Collaborative International Dictionary
Spandrel \Span"drel\, n. [From Span .] (Arch.) The irregular triangular space between the curve of an arch and the inclosing right angle; or the space between the outer moldings of two contiguous arches and a horizontal line above them, or another arch ...
Wikipedia
Word definitions in Wikipedia
In evolutionary biology , a spandrel is a phenotypic characteristic that is a byproduct of the evolution of some other characteristic, rather than a direct product of adaptive selection . The term originated during the Roman era as an architectural word ...
Wiktionary
Word definitions in Wiktionary
n. 1 (context architecture English) The space (often triangular) between the outer curve of an arch (the extrados) and a straight-sided figure that bounds it; the space between two contiguous arches and a straight feature above them 2 (context architecture ...
Usage examples of spandrel.
William Spandrel shared with his mother beneath the eaves of a lodging-house in Cat and Dog Yard.
Those fine gentlemen who had assured William Spandrel senior that they would buy a copy of his map with which to adorn their soon-to-be-gold-leafed drawing-room walls had eagerly lent him the funds for his enterprise.
In the corner, half-hidden by the washing Mrs Spandrel had hung in front of the fireplace, stood one of the waywisers he and his father had pushed round the streets of London, calculating distances to an obsessive nicety.
And while Spandrel stayed cooped up in Cat and Dog Yard, as the rules of the Fleet demanded, there would be no more sheets.
Jupe beetled his brow to let Spandrel know how absurd the suggestion was.
Margaret Spandrel returned to Cat and Dog Yard later that morning, laden with dirty washing, she found her son staring out of the window of their room at a view so familiar to both of them that contemplation of it was surely futile.
Mrs Spandrel was a warm-hearted woman, who had married for love and been rewarded with five children, only one of whom had lived beyond the cradle, early widowhood and greater poverty than she had ever imagined descending into.
William Spandrel would have been able to guess the service Sir Theodore Janssen required of him, even had he been a fly on the wall of the board-room at South Sea House that Saturday, when, with candles lit against the gloom and rain drumming on the windows, the Secret Committee of Inquiry began its examination of Robert Knight.
He said nothing at first, merely looking Spandrel up and down as if wondering whether his clothes were the best he could find for a visit to such a distinguished person.
A fire was burning, almost raging, it seemed to Spandrel, so unaccustomed was he to anything beyond the bare minimum of fuel.
How could Spandrel be sure further, more onerous, demands would not be made of him if he proved himself useful by accomplishing this straightforward task?
Mr Spandrel, is that of someone who has nothing to lose and nothing to bargain with.
Sir Theodore raised his hand to forestall objections, though in plain truth Spandrel could conceive of none.
Next morning, washed and refreshed, Spandrel felt his fragile confidence return.
It was early afternoon and Spandrel was eager to press on to his destination.