Spandrel for Dummies
noun
pronunciation: 'spændrəlWhat does Spandrel really mean?
In simple terms, a "spandrel" refers to the triangular space that is left over when you have a curved arch and a straight line connecting the two endpoints of the arch. Picture this: imagine you have a doorway with a beautiful rounded arch at the top. Now, draw a straight line from one end of the arch to the other, creating a triangle-shaped space between the top of the arch and the line you drew. That's what we call a spandrel.
To put it in a different way, think of the spandrel as the leftover space that is created when you have to connect a curved surface with a straight line. Like when you bake a pie and have some leftover dough from cutting out the round shape, that's kind of the same idea with the spandrel.
Now, there's another meaning of "spandrel" that goes beyond just architecture. In biology and evolutionary science, a spandrel can also refer to a byproduct or side effect of a feature that has evolved for a different purpose. Imagine you have a beautiful peacock with its long and colorful feathers. Those feathers evolved to attract mates, but a side effect of having those feathers is that it also provides shade or protection from predators. That protection would be considered a spandrel because it wasn't the direct result of evolution for that purpose, but it still exists as a beneficial side effect.
So, to sum it up, a spandrel can be thought of as a triangular space created when you connect a curved surface with a straight line, like in architecture, or as a byproduct or side effect of a feature that evolved for a different purpose, like in biology. Remember, just like with that leftover pie dough, sometimes those spandrels can be pretty interesting and important too!
To put it in a different way, think of the spandrel as the leftover space that is created when you have to connect a curved surface with a straight line. Like when you bake a pie and have some leftover dough from cutting out the round shape, that's kind of the same idea with the spandrel.
Now, there's another meaning of "spandrel" that goes beyond just architecture. In biology and evolutionary science, a spandrel can also refer to a byproduct or side effect of a feature that has evolved for a different purpose. Imagine you have a beautiful peacock with its long and colorful feathers. Those feathers evolved to attract mates, but a side effect of having those feathers is that it also provides shade or protection from predators. That protection would be considered a spandrel because it wasn't the direct result of evolution for that purpose, but it still exists as a beneficial side effect.
So, to sum it up, a spandrel can be thought of as a triangular space created when you connect a curved surface with a straight line, like in architecture, or as a byproduct or side effect of a feature that evolved for a different purpose, like in biology. Remember, just like with that leftover pie dough, sometimes those spandrels can be pretty interesting and important too!
Revised and Fact checked by Jack Taylor on 2023-10-28 19:48:55
Spandrel In a sentece
Learn how to use Spandrel inside a sentece
- In a building, the space between the top of a doorframe and the ceiling is a spandrel.
- In a church, the areas between the arches are often decorated with beautiful paintings or sculptures, these are spandrels.
- When you look at a window or door, the wall area above it and on either side is called a spandrel.
- In art, sometimes the space between two figures or objects is filled with intricate designs or patterns, this space is known as a spandrel.
- In architecture, a spandrel panel is a decorative or functional element that fills the space between two arches or between an arch and a rectangular frame.
Spandrel Synonyms
Words that can be interchanged for the original word in the same context.
Spandrel Hypernyms
Words that are more generic than the original word.
Spandrel Category
The domain category to which the original word belongs.