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; see arch ¹, vault ¹

Example Sentences

The arch of the gate is formed of three grains: a grain with a lower centering, and two semi-circular grains surmounted by a archivolt.

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

The square, heavy door was usually contrived below a relieving arch, whose archivolt was richly charged with sculptured and painted ornaments; the twin windows were supported by a pied-droit or on small columns.

From Women of Early Christianity by Brittain, Alfred

On either side of this are two columns of red Vermont marble with white marble capitals and bases, on which rests a broad archivolt enriched with sculpture and varied by voussoirs, alternately white and gray.

From The Catholic World; Volume I, Issues 1-6 A Monthly Eclectic Magazine by Rameur, E.

The real archivolt moulding is the same as fig.

From The Stones of Venice, Volume III (of 3) by Ruskin, John

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)