gothic architectural terms

facade

outside exterior of a building

portal

any doorway/entrance but especially one that is large and imposing

spandrel

the roughly triangular wall space ebetween two adjacent arches [interior/exterior, webbing]

voussoir

a wedge shaped piece that forms an arch or vault; the center is the keystone

archivolts

bands or moldings surrounding an arched opening

tympanum

a semicircular area enclosed by the arch above the lintel of an arched entranceway, often decorated with relief sculpture

lintel

a flat horizontal beam, spanning the space between two supports

doorjamb

a vertical element of a doorway/window frame

trumeau

stone pillar or column supporting the tympanum of a portal at its center

buttress

a structure build to support a wall and adds reinforcement to resist the pressure of an arch/vault

flying buttress

a pier that supports the wall with a rampant arch, which supports the masonry curtain walls; transfers weight off vaulted roofs

rose window

the round window with tracery frequently found on the facades of Gothic churches

tracery

the decorative carved stonework of a medieval church window

arch

a curved structure spanning an open space, supporting the weight above it; rounded or pointed

barrel vault

a straight, continuous arched vault or ceiling, either simucircular or semi-elliptical in profile

groin vaults

compound vault formed by the perpendicular intersection of two vaults forming groins

narthex

an entrance hall leading to the nave of a church

nave

the central aisle; the part of a church located bteween rthe chief entrance and the chancel, and separated from the aisles by piers or columns

transept

a rectangular area which cuts across the main axis of a basilica-type building and projects beyond it; gives the basilica the shape of a Latin cross

chancel / choir

space around the principal altar of a church for the clergy and choir; often separated to the body of the church

apse

a semicircular form serving as a culmination; generally domed, will form the altar

ambulatory

a continuous isle which wraps a circular structure/apse at its base; used for processions

chapels

a private place of worship or prayer within a large complex

pier

the pillar or column that supports an arch

arcade

vaulted passageway

triforium

the arcaded story between the nave arcade and the clerestory

clerestory

the upper part of the nave, transepts, and choir of a church, containing windows