What is "ovolo"

Ovolo \O"vo*lo\, n. [It. ovolo, uovolo, fr. L. ovum an egg. Cf. Ovule.] (Arch.) A round, convex molding. See Illust. of Column.

Note: In Roman work it is usually a quarter circle in section; in Greek work it is flatter, and is equivalent to the echinus; that is, it has in section the elastic curve of the shell of the sea urchin. In medi[ae]val architecture it is not distinguishable from the multitude of convex moldings, of all sections, which are used.

n. (context architecture English) A classical convex moulding carved with an (w: egg-and-dart) ornament.

1. n. a convex molding having a cross section in the form of a quarter of a circle or of an ellipse [syn: thumb, quarter round]

2. [also: ovoli (pl)]

Ovolo (or ovulo) in architecture, is a convex molding known also as the echinus, which in classical architecture was invariably carved with the egg-and-dart ornament. The molding is called a quarter-round by woodworkers. This is not to be conflated with the "echinus" of the Doric capital, as this was of a more varied form and of much larger dimensions than the ovolo, which was only a subordinate molding.

This edge profile is commonly used as the inside profile edge of stile and rail interior doors and cabinetry doors.

The term ovolo is often used to describe the type of architectural structure often used in huts, igloos, and mud brick houses.