oriel

[ awr-ee-uhl, ohr‑ ]

noun

1. a bay window, especially one cantilevered or corbeled out from a wall.
2. (in medieval architecture) a large bay window of a hall or chamber.

Word History and Origins

Origin of oriel¹

1350–1400; Middle English < Anglo-French oriol porch, passage, gallery, perhaps ≪ Latin aureolus “gilded”

Example Sentences

In the Little Shambles, too, there are many curious details in the high gables, pargeting and oriel windows.

From Project Gutenberg

Richard drew himself up on to the wide, cushioned bench below the oriel-window.

From Project Gutenberg

Oriel's views may necessitate his doing a little cobbling himself—just to set an example.

From Project Gutenberg

I love to see them smiling on me from the shelves of my book-cases, as glowing and varied as the sunset through a painted oriel.

From Project Gutenberg

A lady at an oriel window was a person who must ultimately do one thing.

From Project Gutenberg