Richard's Church Albums - Glossary Of Terms

Glossary Of Terms

AISLE		Passage between row of pews normally parallel to nave, choir or transept.
ALTAR		Flat-topped table for communion or offerings to deity.
AMBULATORY		Walkway, aisle round apse usually at east end of church.
APSE		Semicircular recess usually with vaulted roof in church.
ARCH		Curved structure supporting wall, floor or as an ornament.
AUMBRY		Closed recess in church wall.
BALDACHIN		Canopy over an altar.
BALUSTER		One in a series of short posts or pillars supporting a rail.
BELLCOT		Small building or tower in which a bell or bells are hung.
BELFRY		Bell tower, room or storey in which bells are hung.
BOSS		Projection at intersecting point of vault-ribs, usually carved.
BUTTRESS		Stone or wood support or prop built against wall.
CANOPY		Covering held over or suspended.
CHANCEL		Section of church near altar reserved for clergy and choir.
CHAPEL		Place of Christian worship other than church or cathedral.
CHERUB		Order of Angels, winged child.
CHEVET		Apsidal end of church with chapels radiating from it.
CHOIR		Chancel part of the church appropriated to choir.
CHURCH		Building for public Christian worship.
CHURCHYARD		Ground round a church, used for burials, usually enclosed.
CLERESTORY		Upper part of wall of nave, choir and transepts above the triforium or arches of nave and containing windows clear of the roof and aisle.
CLOISTER		Covered walk or arcade in monastery or large church.
COLUMN		Vertical cylinder or slightly tapering pillar usually supporting an arch or standing alone as monument.
CORBEL		Stone or wood, projecting out from wall to support weight.
CORNICE		Horizontal moulding at top of wall, ornamental and frequently carved.
CRESTING		Ornamental ridging to roof or wall.
CRUCIFIX		Figure of Christ on the Cross.
CRUCIFORM		Church in shape of cross with transepts.
EMBATTLE		Furnish with battlements.
EPISCOPACY		Government of the church by bishops.
EPITAPH		Inscription upon tombstone or tomb.
FINIAL		Ornamental finishing of apex of roof, top most part of pinnacle.
FLUTE		Vertical semi-cylindrical groove in pillar or column.
FONT		Bowl usually of stone, for baptismal water.
FRONTAL		Covering at front of altar, moveable.
FRONTLET		Cloth hanging over upper part of altar frontal.
GRADINE		One of a series of low steps or seats, ledge at back of altar.
GARGOYLE		Spout projecting from gutter in the form of a grotesque human or animal head, mouth or body.
LANCET		Narrow pointed arch or window.
LECTERN		Reading or singing desk in church especially for the lessons.
NAVE		Part of church from inner door to chancel or choir usually separated from aisles by pillars.
NICHE		Shallow recess in wall for a statue or vase.
ORATORY		Small Private Chapel.
ORPHREY		Band or panel frequently embroidered hung over altar frontal.
PARAPET		Low wall at edge of balcony or roof.
PEDESTAL		Base supporting a column or pillar.
PEW		Fixed church bench with back.
PIER		Pillar of solid masonry between windows.
PILASTER		Rectangular column especially one fastened into wall.
PILLAR		Rectangular column especially one fastened into wall.
PINNACLE		Small ornamental turret usually terminating in a pyramid or cone.
PISCINA		Perforated stone basin used to remove rinsing water from the chalice etc.
PORCH		Covered approach to entrance of building.
PREDELLA		Painting on vertical face of altar step.
PRESBYTERY		Part of the chancel beyond the choir sanctuary.
PULPIT		Enclosed raised platform in church or chapel from which the sermon is delivered by the preacher.
QUATREFOIL		Resembling symmetrical 4 lobed leaf or flower an opening in architectural tracery.
REREDOS		Ornamental screen covering wall at back of altar.
RESPOND		Half-pier or half-pillar attached to wall to support arch.
RETROCHOIR		Part of cathedral or large church behind the high altar.
RIDDEL		Curtain at side of altar.
ROOD		Crucifix, cross of Christ especially when raised on middle of screen.
SANCTUARY		Recognised as holy part of a church, place within the altar-rails.
SANCTUS		Hymn beginning 'Holy, holy, holy'. Bell in turret at junction of nave and chancel.
SCREEN		Stone or wood carved upright partition between the nave and choir.
SEDILIA		Canopied seats usually three, set in the south wall of the chancel in a Church.
SEPULCHRE		Tomb cut in rock or built of stone, burial vault or cave.
SHAFT		Part between base and capital of a column.
SLYPE		Passage-way from transept or cloister to chapter house or deanery usually covered.
SPANDREL		Space between either shoulder of arch and surrounding framework.
SPIRE		Structure in form of tall cone or pyramid tapering and rising above tower of church.
SQUINT		Opening in Church wall with view of altar.
STOUP		Holy water basin.
TOMB		Chamber or vault in earth or rock for reception of dead body.
TOWER		Tall structure usually either square or round and frequently forming part of a church.
TRACERY		Decorative stone open work especially in Gothic windows.
TRANSEPT		Either arm of transverse part of Cruciform church.
TRIFORIUM		Arcade or gallery in wall above arches at sides of nave and choir found in some large churches.
TRIPTYCH		Picture or carving on three panels and usually hinged together virtically.
TYMPANUM		Recessed vertical face of triangular space between lintel and arch of door.
VAULTED		An arched structure serving as roof, arched surface especially concave.
VENERABLE		Title of Archdeacons in the Church of England.
VERGER		Official of Church acting as caretaker and attendant.
VESTIBULE		Hall or lobby between entrance door and interior of church.
VESTMENT		Garments of priests, choristers etc., worn during divine service.
VESTRY		Place in church used for keeping vestments, vessels and records.