spandrel

or span·dril

[ span-druhl ]

/ ˈspæn drəl /

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noun

Architecture. an area between the extradoses of two adjoining arches, or between the extrados of an arch and a perpendicular through the extrados at the springing line.

(in a steel-framed building) a panellike area between the head of a window on one level and the sill of a window immediately above.

Philately. the decoration occupying the space at the corner of a stamp between the border and an oval or circular central design.

QUIZ

THINGAMABOB OR THINGUMMY: CAN YOU DISTINGUISH BETWEEN THE US AND UK TERMS IN THIS QUIZ?

Do you know the difference between everyday US and UK terminology? Test yourself with this quiz on words that differ across the Atlantic.

Question 1 of 7

In the UK, COTTON CANDY is more commonly known as…

candystring

candyfloss

candypuff

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of spandrel

1470–80; earlier spaundrell, probably <Anglo-French spaundre, itself perhaps cognate with Old French espandre to expand

Words nearby spandrel

span, spanakopita, spancel, Spandau, spandex, spandrel, spang, spangle, spangled glass, Spanglish, Spaniard

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use spandrel in a sentence

Fig. 107 is a shaped spandrel, such as is fixed in the recess of a sideboard or cupboard or shop window fitment.
Woodwork Joints|William Fairham
In each spandrel of the main arcade is cut an elaborate rosette before which stands the shaft that mounts to the vault-springing.
How France Built Her Cathedrals|Elizabeth Boyle O'Reilly
Each spandrel is pierced by trefoils and quatrefoils, and at the apse the triforium spandrels are entirely covered with foliage.
How France Built Her Cathedrals|Elizabeth Boyle O'Reilly
Two out of the eight large spandrel pictures round the dome are already executed.
Old and New London|Walter Thornbury

The roof, which is of chestnut, is of hammer-beam construction, with moulded spandrel brackets and circular shafts.
A Comprehensive History of Norwich|A. D. Bayne

British Dictionary definitions for spandrel

spandrel

spandril

/ (ˈspændrəl) /

noun architect

an approximately triangular surface bounded by the outer curve of an arch and the adjacent wall

the surface area between two adjacent arches and the horizontal cornice above them

Word Origin for spandrel

C15 spaundrell, from Anglo-French spaundre spandrel, from Old French spandre to spread, expand

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012