Glossary of Architectural and Building Terminology - M
- A - B - C - D - E - F - G - H - I - J - K - L - M - N - O - P - Q - R - S - T - U - V - W - Y - Z -
M Roof - An M roof is a kind of roof formed by the junction of two common roofs with a valley between them, so that the section resembles the letter M.
©2007 The Probert Encyclopaedia. Data used under license.
Machicolation - A machicolation is an opening between the corbels which support a projecting parapet, or in the floor of a gallery or the roof of a portal, for shooting or dropping missiles upon assailants attacking the base of the walls.
©2007 The Probert Encyclopaedia. Data used under license.
Main couple - A main couple is the principal truss in a roof.
©2007 The Probert Encyclopaedia. Data used under license.
Manhelp - In decorating, a manhelp is an adjustable length handle which may be attached to brushes to facilitate reaching otherwise inaccessible places.
©2007 The Probert Encyclopaedia. Data used under license.
Mansard Roof - A Mansard roof is a hipped curb roof; that is, a roof having on all sides two slopes, the lower one being steeper than the upper one. It is named after its inventor, Francois Mansard, the French architect, who developed it so that the attic could be used as a room, in consequence of a municipal law limiting the height of front walls in Paris.
©2007 The Probert Encyclopaedia. Data used under license.
Manse - A manse is a house provided for the clergy.
©2007 The Probert Encyclopaedia. Data used under license.
Mantel - A mantel is the finish around a fireplace, covering the chimney-breast in front and sometimes on both sides. The term is especially applied to a shelf above the fireplace, and its supports.
©2007 The Probert Encyclopaedia. Data used under license.
Manteltree - A manteltree is the name given to a lintel of a fireplace when its made of wood, as was frequently the case in early houses.
©2007 The Probert Encyclopaedia. Data used under license.
Mantling - In decorating, mantling is decorative scrollwork or drapery found in heraldic painting. It derives its name from the mantles worn by mediaeval knights to prevent the armour overheating in the sun.
©2007 The Probert Encyclopaedia. Data used under license.
Margin Draft - A margin draft is a smooth cut margin on the face of hammer-dressed ashlar, adjacent to the joints.
©2007 The Probert Encyclopaedia. Data used under license.
Margin of a Course - The margin of a course is that part of a course, usually of slates or shingles, which is not covered by the course immediately above it.
©2007 The Probert Encyclopaedia. Data used under license.
Marmoratum Opus - A marmoratum opus is a kind of hard finish for plasterwork, made of plaster of Paris and marble dust, and capable of taking a high polish.
©2007 The Probert Encyclopaedia. Data used under license.
Mask - A mask or mascaron is a grotesque head or face, used to adorn keystones and other prominent parts, to spout water in fountains, and the like.
©2007 The Probert Encyclopaedia. Data used under license.
Mastic - Mastic is a waterproof, plastic, putty-like substance used as a filler, sealant and jointing material that is plastic when applied and remains flexible after it dries. Mastic is used by builders, civil engineers and decorators and generally consists of bitumen, tar, resin, rubber or oil mixed with an inter fibrous or powdered filler
©2007 The Probert Encyclopaedia. Data used under license.
Mastic cement - Mastic cement is a sealing compound formerly made from litharge and boiled oil, which sets harder than most other types of mastic.
©2007 The Probert Encyclopaedia. Data used under license.
Member - A member is any part of a building, whether constructional, such as a pier, column, lintel, or the like, or decorative, such as a moulding, or group of mouldings.
©2007 The Probert Encyclopaedia. Data used under license.
Meros - A meros or merus is the plain surface between the channels of a triglyph.
©2007 The Probert Encyclopaedia. Data used under license.
Metoche - A metoche is the space between two dentils, or the space between two triglyphs.
©2007 The Probert Encyclopaedia. Data used under license.
Metope - A metope is the space between two triglyphs of the Doric frieze, which, among the ancients, was often adorned with carved work.
©2007 The Probert Encyclopaedia. Data used under license.
Mezzanine - A mezzanine is a partial story which is not on the same level with the story of the main part of the edifice, as of a back building, where the floors are on a level with landings of the staircase of the main house.
©2007 The Probert Encyclopaedia. Data used under license.
Mezzo-Rilievo - Mezzo-rilievo is an architectural term for a sculptured work in which the figures project half their true proportions.
©2007 The Probert Encyclopaedia. Data used under license.
Minaret - A minaret is a slender, lofty tower attached to a mosque and surrounded by one or more projecting balconies, from which the summon to prayer is cried by the muezzin.
©2007 The Probert Encyclopaedia. Data used under license.
Minster - A Minster is a church of a monastery. The name is often retained and applied to the church after the monastery has ceased to exist, and is also improperly used for any large church.
©2007 The Probert Encyclopaedia. Data used under license.
Miserere - A miserere or misericordia is a small projecting boss or bracket, on the under side of the hinged seat of a church stall. It was intended, the seat being turned up, to give some support to a worshiper when standing.
©2007 The Probert Encyclopaedia. Data used under license.
Modillion - A modillion is the enriched block or horizontal bracket generally found under the cornice of the Corinthian and Composite entablature, and sometimes, less ornamented, in the Ionic and other orders. It is so called because of its arrangement at regulated distances.
©2007 The Probert Encyclopaedia. Data used under license.
Module - The term module is the size of some one part, for example the diameter of semi- diameter of the base of a shaft, taken as a unit of measure by which the proportions of the other parts of the composition are regulated. Generally, for columns, the semi-diameter is taken, and divided into a certain number of parts, called minutes, though often the diameter is taken, and any dimension is said to be so many modules and minutes in height, breadth, or projection.
©2007 The Probert Encyclopaedia. Data used under license.
Moire - In decorating, moire refers to a wallpaper with a watered silk effect produced by means of a delicate emboss
©2007 The Probert Encyclopaedia. Data used under license.
Monopteral - The term monopteral is applied to temples which are round and without a cella; consisting of a single ring of columns supporting a roof.
©2007 The Probert Encyclopaedia. Data used under license.
Monopteron - A monopteron is a circular temple consisting of a roof supported on columns, without a cella.
©2007 The Probert Encyclopaedia. Data used under license.
Monotriglyph - A monotriglyph is a kind of intercolumniation in an entablature, in which only one triglyph and two metopes are introduced.
©2007 The Probert Encyclopaedia. Data used under license.
Montant - A montant is an upright piece in any framework; a mullion or muntin; or a stile.
©2007 The Probert Encyclopaedia. Data used under license.
Mop - In gilding, a mop is a soft camel-hair brush used in the gilding of carved, moulded or modelled work, for the purpose of pressing the gold leaf into the crevices and intricate parts of the work.
©2007 The Probert Encyclopaedia. Data used under license.
Mortar - Mortar is a building material made by mixing lime, cement, or plaster of Paris, with sand, water, and sometimes other materials. It is used in masonry for joining stones, bricks, etc., and also for plastering, and in other ways.
©2007 The Probert Encyclopaedia. Data used under license.
Moulding - A moulding is a plane, or curved, narrow surface, either sunk or projecting, used for decoration by means of the lights and shades upon its surface. Mouldings vary greatly in pattern, and are generally used in groups, the different members of each group projecting or retreating, one beyond another.
©2007 The Probert Encyclopaedia. Data used under license.
Mullion - A mullion is a slender bar or pier which forms the division between the lights of windows, screens, etc. The term is also applied to an upright member of a framing.
©2007 The Probert Encyclopaedia. Data used under license.
Multifoil - A multifoil is an ornamental foliation consisting of more than five divisions or foils.
©2007 The Probert Encyclopaedia. Data used under license.
Muntin - A muntin is a vertical part of a framed or panelled joinery construction which lies between the panels and the spans the distance between two horizontal rails.
©2007 The Probert Encyclopaedia. Data used under license.
Mural - A mural is a wall decoration, as contrasted with a movable decoration such as an easel picture
©2007 The Probert Encyclopaedia. Data used under license.
Mutule - A mutule is a projecting block worked under the corona of the Doric corice, in the same situation as the modillion of the Corinthian and Composite orders.
©2007 The Probert Encyclopaedia. Data used under license.
