Ch 8 KW

Aisles

Parallel to the nave in a basilica and separated by a colonnade or an arcade.

Ambulatory

The circular or semicircular passage around the nave.

Apse

Semi-circular niche terminating at one or both ends of the nave, usually the east end.

Baptistery

A building or part of a building in which baptism is administered.

Basilica

Baths and public places taken over as Christian churches after the Edict of Milan, featuring an entrance on the west opposite the altar, a nave, apse, side aisles, and sometimes a narthex and an ambulatory.

Catacombs

Vast subterranean networks of galleries and passageways designed as cemeteries for Christian dead until the Edict of Milan passed by Constantine.

Central Plan Church

A church having a central plan with the altar in the middle.

Codex / Codices

Separate pages of vellum or parchment bound together at one side; the predecessor of the modern book.

Cruciform

Cross shaped.

Diptychs

A pair of paintings or carvings hinged together.

Established Church

One which is financially supported by state.

Illumination

Decorations with drawings on handwritten works.

Longitudinal / Basilican plan

A church with a long nave whose focus is the apse.

Lunettes

Semicircular frames.

Manuscript

(Latin for handwritten) A document, scroll, or book done by hand.

Monotheism

The belief in one god.

Narthex

A vestibule to the main church.

Nave

The main body of the church.

Nimbus

Halo appearing around the head of a holy person to symbolize divinity.

Parchment

Lambskin prepared for painting.

Polytheism

The belief in many gods.

Prefiguration

A prophetic forerunner.

Scroll

Old form of rolled format which was replaced by a codex, a new form like a book.

Transept

Cross arms of a basilica at right angles to the nave and aisles.

Vellum

A calfskin surface for painting.