voussoir
[voo-swahr]
- 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
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Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for voussoir
Historical Examples
Each block or voussoir should be cut to fit exactly in its appointed place, the joints being made as fine as possible.
Stone blocks in the shape of a voussoir (fig. 14) may be used instead.
voussoir
- a wedge-shaped stone or brick that is used with others to construct an arch or vault
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Word Origin
C18: from French, from Vulgar Latin volsōrium (unattested), ultimately from Latin volvere to turn, roll
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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