ballflower

American  

[bawl-flou-er] / ˈbɔlˌflaʊ ər /

noun

Architecture.

1. a medieval English ornament suggesting a flower of three or four petals enclosing and partly concealing a ball.

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ballflower British  

/ ˈbɔːlˌflaʊə /

noun

1. architect a carved ornament in the form of a ball enclosed by the three petals of a circular flower

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Etymology

Origin of ballflower

First recorded in 1835–45; ball ¹ + flower

Example Sentences

In the interiors the simple Early English vaulting is superseded by roofs divided into a great number of different compartments, the points of intersection being marked by stone bosses or masses of carving, whilst increased lavishness of decoration characterises every portion of the building, mouldings of a great variety, amongst which the ballflower is of frequent occurrence, being introduced wherever possible.

From Project Gutenberg

Ballflower, its use in ornamentation, i.

From Project Gutenberg