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 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

They are of similar size and general appearance to the ordinary ovolo moulding plane.

From Woodwork Joints How they are Set Out, How Made and Where Used. by Fairham, William

In the Archaic-Greek Ionic order, owing to the greater width of the capital, the abacus is rectangular in plan, and consists of a carved ovolo moulding.

From The Project Gutenberg Encyclopedia Volume 1 of 28 by Project Gutenberg

Again: the Doric capital was unimitative; but all the beauty it had was dependent on the precision of its ovolo, a natural curve of the most frequent occurrence.

From The Seven Lamps of Architecture by Ruskin, John

An ovolo of conventional egg and dart motive with the customary bead and reel astragal outlines the black marble facings of the fireplace opening.

From The Colonial Architecture of Philadelphia by Cousins, Frank