oriel
Americannoun
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a bay window, especially one cantilevered or corbeled out from a wall.
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(in medieval architecture) a large bay window of a hall or chamber.
Etymology
Origin of oriel
1350–1400; Middle English < Anglo-French oriol porch, passage, gallery, perhaps ≪ Latin aureolus “gilded”
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Wrought-iron balconies, turrets, oriel windows: block after block, the residential facades were unique and homogenous at the same time.
From New York Times ● Dec. 23, 2011
So, let's go ... through the neo-gothic oriel window!
From The Guardian ● Jul. 2, 2010
Lichfield has a gallery over the sacristy door, which served the same purpose; and at Worcester an oriel was probably used by the watchers.
From Ecclesiastical Curiosities by Various
So spoke Sydenham Morton, whilom Captain of Eton, now, in due course, having passed up to Kings, discussing ham-pie and audit, devils and coffee, while the June sun streamed through the large oriel windows.
From Cecil Castlemaine's Gage, Lady Marabout's Troubles, and Other Stories by Ouida
How cold to hear them now, here, in my room, echoing from varnished beams, off-stage in my oriel of yesterday.
From Voices from the Past by Paul Alexander Bartlett
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