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voussoir

[voo-swahr]
noun Architecture.
  1. any of the pieces, in the shape of a truncated wedge, that form an arch or vault.
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Origin of voussoir

1325–75; < French; replacing Middle English vousor(i)e < Anglo-French; Old French volsoir < Vulgar Latin *volsōrium, equivalent to *volt(us) (for Latin volūtus), past participle of volvere to turn + -tōrium -tory2 with tt > s
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for voussoir

Historical Examples of voussoir

  • Each block or voussoir should be cut to fit exactly in its appointed place, the joints being made as fine as possible.

    Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 17, Slice 7

    Various

  • Stone blocks in the shape of a voussoir (fig. 14) may be used instead.

British Dictionary definitions for voussoir

voussoir

noun
  1. a wedge-shaped stone or brick that is used with others to construct an arch or vault
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Word Origin for voussoir

C18: from French, from Vulgar Latin volsōrium (unattested), ultimately from Latin volvere to turn, roll
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