"A rear vault; an arch or a vault placed within the opening of a window or door, and differing from it in form, to increase the size of the aperture internally, to receive a charge from above, or to form an architectural junction between interior and exterior forms."-Whitney, 1902

Arriere-voussure

"A rear vault; an arch or a vault placed within the opening of a window or door, and differing from…

The Treasury of Atreus or Tomb of Agamemnon is an impressive "tholos" tomb at Mycenae, Greece (on the Panagitsa Hill) constructed around 1250 BCE. The lintel stone above the doorway weighs 120 tons. The tomb was used for an unknown period of time.

Treasury of Atreus Doorway

The Treasury of Atreus or Tomb of Agamemnon is an impressive "tholos" tomb at Mycenae, Greece (on the…

A young woman stands in the doorway holding her knitting tools.

Woman Standing in a Doorway

A young woman stands in the doorway holding her knitting tools.

A gate is a point of entry to a space enclosed by walls, or an opening in a fence. Gates may prevent or control entry, or exit or they may be merely decorative.

Wooden Locking Gate

A gate is a point of entry to a space enclosed by walls, or an opening in a fence. Gates may prevent…

"Grille. San Giacomo de Rialto, Venice. GRILLE. A piece of openwork or grating, usually of metal, as wrought-iron." -Whitney, 1911

Grille

"Grille. San Giacomo de Rialto, Venice. GRILLE. A piece of openwork or grating, usually of metal, as…

"A beam only reaching partially across an opening." — Williams, 1889

Hammer-beam

"A beam only reaching partially across an opening." — Williams, 1889

Nothing reliable can by adduced concerning the age of the existing structural temples of India, which are called pagodas, from the word bhagarati, <em>i.e.</em> sacred house. They belong to both antiquity and modern times. Some of these pagodas are wonderfully large and magnificent. The consist of one or more quadrangular courts with towers at the corners, surrounded by a wall. Large pyramids rising in stages cover the entrance (shown here), behind which extend colonnades.

Entrance to a Pagoda

Nothing reliable can by adduced concerning the age of the existing structural temples of India, which…

Chinese structures have nothing durable about them, for perishable wood forms an essential element in their construction, and they were more remarkable for their elegance and slender proportions than for their vast dimensions. The roofs are especially characteristic, the most striking peculiarity being that they are always curved, and have figures on them in high relief, as well as at the corners, from which hang bells, and that they are decorated with all kinds of embellishments, such as gilt dragons, and other fantastic carvings.

Entrance-Gate to the Temple of Confucius at Shanghai

Chinese structures have nothing durable about them, for perishable wood forms an essential element in…

The transept is the area set crosswise to the nave in a cruciform ("cross-shaped") building in Romanesque and Gothic Christian church architecture. The transept separates the nave from the sanctuary, whether apse, choir, chevet, presbytery or chancel. The transepts cross the nave at the crossing, which belongs equally to the main nave axis and to the transept.

One Bay of Transept, Winchester Cathedral

The transept is the area set crosswise to the nave in a cruciform ("cross-shaped") building in Romanesque…

This is a valve which regulates the flow of a fluid by opening, closing, or partially obstructing various passageways.

Valve

This is a valve which regulates the flow of a fluid by opening, closing, or partially obstructing various…

Hasbrouck House served as Washington's headquarters during the Revolutionary War from April 1782 until August 1783. It was chosen for its comparatively safe location north of the strategically important West Point. The 7,000 troops of the Continental Army were encamped near what is today known as Vails Gate, a few miles to the southwest.

Entrance to Washington's Headquarters, Newburgh

Hasbrouck House served as Washington's headquarters during the Revolutionary War from April 1782 until…