skewback

American  

[skyoo-bak] / ˈskyuˌbæk /

noun

Architecture.

1. a sloping surface against which the end of an arch rests.

2. a stone, course of masonry, or the like, presenting such a surface.

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skewback British  

/ ˈskjuːˌbæk /

noun

1. the sloping surface on both sides of a segmental arch that takes the thrust

2. one or more stones that provide such a surface

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Other Word Forms

• skewbacked adjective

Etymology

Origin of skewback

First recorded in 1695–1705; skew + back ¹

Example Sentences

Each of the twin arch rings has a span of 232 ft. and a rise of 70¼ ft., is 9½ ft. thick and 21½ ft. wide at the skewback and 5½ ft. thick and 18 ft. wide at the crown.

From Project Gutenberg

The side forms were then placed and braced apart by the struts and concreting continued to the skewback plane indicated in Fig.

From Project Gutenberg

After water-proofing the sand-walls and laying the low-tension ducts, a second pair of carriages, with panels on one side only, for 60 ft. of side-wall and skewback to the 15° line, were set and braced against the core-wall.

From Project Gutenberg

Where brick arches were used, the core-wall skewback was concreted behind special forms set up on the sidewalks, or the arch ribs and lagging were used for forms, and the brick arch was not started until after the concrete had set.

From Project Gutenberg

Plate LX, the center wall and skewback were built, and the posts were removed, as shown by Fig. 2,

From Project Gutenberg