ovolo

American  

[oh-vuh-loh] / ˈoʊ vəˌloʊ /

noun

Architecture.

plural

ovoli

1. a convex molding forming or approximating in section a quarter of a circle or ellipse.

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ovolo British  

/ ˈəʊvəˌləʊ /

noun

1. Also called: quarter round.   thumb.  architect a convex moulding having a cross section in the form of a quarter of a circle or ellipse Compare congé echinus

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Etymology

Origin of ovolo

1655–65; < Italian, variant (now obsolete) of uovolo, diminutive of uovo egg ¹ < Latin ōvum

Example Sentences

The term is sometimes given to the ovolo of the Ionic capital, especially when curved with the egg-and-tongue enrichment.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 8, Slice 10 "Echinoderma" to "Edward" by Various

The ovolo about the marble facings of the fireplace bears the conventional bead and reel and egg and dart motives, the latter having a leaf design in alternation with the egg.

From The Colonial Architecture of Philadelphia by Cousins, Frank

It has fluted columns, an intricately hand-tooled dentil course in the cornice, richly incised architraves and carved ovolo moldings.

From The Colonial Architecture of Philadelphia by Cousins, Frank

Lastly, the crowning part is, in the Greek Doric, a single convex moulding, not very dissimilar in profile to the ovolo of the capital, and forming what we commonly call an eaves-gutter.

From Architecture Classic and Early Christian by Smith, T. Roger (Thomas Roger)

Contrasting pleasingly with this fret and on opposite sides of it are a plain molded ovolo outlining the panel and a small floreated torus supplemented by a molded cymatium within.

From The Colonial Architecture of Philadelphia by Cousins, Frank