archivolt

American  

[ahr-kuh-vohlt] / ˈɑr kəˌvoʊlt /

noun

Architecture.

1. a molded or decorated band following the extrados of an arch or forming an archlike frame for an opening.

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archivolt British  

/ ˈɑːkɪˌvəʊlt /

noun

1. a moulding around an arch, sometimes decorated

2. the under surface of an arch

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Etymology

Origin of archivolt

1725–35; < French archivolte < Italian archivolto < Medieval Latin *archivoltum, Latinization of Old French arvol < Late Latin arcus volūtus vaulted arch; arch ¹, vault ¹

Example Sentences

The semi-circular arch is formed of an grain surrounded by an archivolt made of a chamfered band.

From Romanesque Art in Southern Manche: Album by Lebert, Marie

If they employed voussoirs, they were not content with ordinary depth, shown by the archivolt mouldings, but made them three or four times as deep.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 2, Slice 4 "Aram, Eugene" to "Arcueil" by Various

This gate is surrounded by a semi-circular two-groin arch and an archivolt.

From Romanesque Art in Southern Manche: Album by Lebert, Marie

Its semi-circular arch is formed by a plain grain resting on plain abutments and surrounded by an archivolt.

From Romanesque Art in Southern Manche: Album by Lebert, Marie

The lower range of the archivolt is divided by pilasters bearing the symbols of the Evangelists, deeply cut arabesques of the Genii, and the four greater prophets—Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, and Daniel.

From The Cathedrals of Southern France by Mansfield, M. F. (Milburg Francisco)