vesica piscis

American  

[vuh-sahy-kuh pahy-sis, pis-is, vuh-see-kuh pis-kis, ves-i-kuh] / vəˈsaɪ kə ˈpaɪ sɪs, ˈpɪs ɪs, vəˈsi kə ˈpɪs kɪs, ˈvɛs ɪ kə /

noun

Fine Arts.

1. an elliptical figure in pointed form, usually one made by the intersection of two arcs and used, especially in early Christian art, as an emblem of Christ.

---

Etymology

Origin of vesica piscis

First recorded in 1800–10, vesica piscis is from New Latin vēsīca piscis literally, “bladder of a fish”

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

vesica piscis

The Transfiguration, which corresponds to this subject on the back of the robe, is the traditional composition, only varied by the unusual shape of the vesica piscis which encloses Our Saviour.

From Needlework As Art by Alford, Marianne Margaret Compton Cust, Viscountess

Mandorla, man-dor′la, n. an oval panel, or a work of art filling such: the vesica piscis.

From Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary (part 2 of 4: E-M) by Various

Thus the following solution that I give to our puzzle involves the pointed "oval," known among architects as the "vesica piscis."

From Amusements in Mathematics by Dudeney, Henry Ernest

In modern Christian art this symbol is called vesica piscis, and is sometimes surrounded with rays.

From Ancient Pagan and Modern Christian Symbolism With an Essay on Baal Worship, On The Assyrian Sacred "Grove," And Other by Inman, Thomas

V., and the pointed oval, or vesica piscis, which is traced by them, may be called the Limit of ornamentation.

From The Stones of Venice, Volume I (of 3) by Ruskin, John