quiz 3 vocab architecture history

Cathedral

A bishop’s church

Aisle

Lateral division of a church

Nave

Central space in a basilica or church

Ambulatory

Processional walkway around a shrine or apse.

Narthex

Transverse vestibule/entrance of an early Christian church.

Crossing

Intersection of the nave and transept.

Transept

The transverse arms of a cross-shaped church.

Chapel

Small area with an altar for private prayer; a room used for religious ceremonies.

Choir

Part of a church where the choir sits

Portal

Monumental entranceway to a building.

Crypt

Room beneath a church containing graves

Abbey

A Christian monastery or convent and its church.

Monastery

Enclosure for a religious order living apart from society.

Cloister

Monastery courtyard enclosed by an ambulatory.

Mosque

Prayer hall of Islam.

Minaret

Tall slender tower from which the call to prayer is made.

Mandala

Geometric cosmic diagram used as the basis for Indian monumental plans.

Coffer

Decorative sunken panel in a ceiling or arch.

Ribbed Vault

Articulation of groin vaults in Gothic cathedrals.

Flying Buttress

Arch transferring roof thrust to an external support.

Tracery

Curvilinear ornament in the upper part of windows.

Gargoyle

Grotesque figure sculpted onto Gothic downspouts.

Gallery

Upper story open on one side

Interlacing Arches

Series of arches that intersect creating a lattice pattern.

Keep

Tower stronghold of a medieval castle used as residence in siege.

Viaduct

Elevated roadway/waterway carried on arches.

Bastide

Preplanned new town in southwest France laid out as a grid.

Faubourg

Suburb outside medieval French city walls.

Piazza

Italian public square.