triforium

[ trahy-fawr-ee-uhm, -fohr- ]

/ traɪˈfɔr i əm, -ˈfoʊr- /

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noun, plural tri·fo·ri·a

[trahy-fawr-ee-uh, -fohr-]. /traɪˈfɔr i ə, -ˈfoʊr-/. Architecture.

(in a church) the wall at the side of the nave, choir, or transept, corresponding to the space between the vaulting or ceiling and the roof of an aisle, often having a blind arcade or an opening in a gallery.

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Origin of triforium

1695–1705; <Anglo-Latin, special use of Medieval Latin triforium kind of gallery, literally, something with three openings, equivalent to Latin tri-tri- + for(is) opening, door + -ium-ium

OTHER WORDS FROM triforium

tri·fo·ri·al, adjective

Words nearby triforium

trifold, trifoliate, trifoliate orange, trifoliolate, trifolium, triforium, triform, trifunctional, trifurcate, trig, triga

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

How to use triforium in a sentence

It is contained in two cases on each side of the triforium of the chancel and blown by an electric installation of 85 h.p.
The Recent Revolution in Organ Building|George Laing Miller
The instrument occupied two special chambers on each side of the chancel, and a portion of the south chancel triforium.
The Recent Revolution in Organ Building|George Laing Miller
The arch at the east end of the triforium on the south side, which opens out to the transept, is worthy of special notice.
Bell's Cathedrals: A Short Account of Romsey Abbey|Thomas Perkins
The triforium (1140-50) has in each compartment a semi-circular arch entirely without ornament.
Bell's Cathedrals: The Cathedral Church of Carlisle|C. King Eley

Against the wall between each arch is a semi-circular engaged shaft reaching to the base of the triforium.
Bell's Cathedrals: The Cathedral Church of Carlisle|C. King Eley

British Dictionary definitions for triforium

triforium

/ (traɪˈfɔːrɪəm) /

noun plural -ria (-rɪə)

an arcade above the arches of the nave, choir, or transept of a church

Derived forms of triforium

triforial, adjective

Word Origin for triforium

C18: from Anglo-Latin, apparently from Latin tri- + foris a doorway; referring to the fact that each bay characteristically had three openings

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