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Spandril for Dummies

noun


What does Spandril really mean?

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Spandril is an architectural term that refers to the space, or the area, between an arch and a rectangular or square shape that surrounds it. Think of a doorway in a old castle or a fancy building with an arch on top - you'll notice that there is some empty space right above the arch, where the wall or structure ends and creates a triangular shape. That space is the spandril! It's like the little gap that exists between the curved part of the arch and the straight part of the rectangle that surrounds it.

Imagine that you're looking at a door that has a big, beautiful arch above it. Now imagine that the door is split into two parts - the bottom half is the rectangle where the door is, and the top half is the curved part of the arch. The spandril is the space in between them, filling up that empty triangle shape. It's like the glue that holds the arch and the rectangle together. It may seem like just an empty space, but in architecture, it serves a purpose!

When architects or builders design and construct buildings, they have to consider the strength and stability of the structure. The spandril plays an important role in making sure that the arch and the surrounding rectangle are well-supported and balanced. It helps distribute the weight and pressure evenly, so that the arch doesn't collapse or the walls around it don't crumble.

So, in simpler terms, a spandril is the space between an arch and the rectangle or square shape that surrounds it in an architectural structure. It's like a little triangle that helps support the weight and balance of the arch. It may seem like an insignificant part, but it's actually an important component in making sure buildings are sturdy and stable.


Revised and Fact checked by David Williams on 2023-10-28 19:48:59

Spandril In a sentece

Learn how to use Spandril inside a sentece

  • In a painting of a beautiful garden, you can see flowers and trees in the foreground, but the area where the sky meets the building's roof is called a spandrel.
  • When you look at a tall building, you might notice the space between the windows and the corners called spandrels.
  • In a church with stained glass windows, the triangular space under the arches is known as a spandrel.
  • If you have ever seen a picture of a bridge, you might have noticed the decorative space between the arch and the horizontal beams called spandrels.
  • When you visit a museum, you might admire the artwork on the ceilings, and sometimes the spandrels are beautifully painted too.

Spandril Synonyms

Words that can be interchanged for the original word in the same context.

Spandril Hypernyms

Words that are more generic than the original word.

Spandril Category

The domain category to which the original word belongs.