Rudiments of ancient architecture, containing an historical account of the five orders, with their proportions, and examples of each from antiques also, extracts from Vitruvius, Pliny, &c. relative to the buildings of the ancients (London, 1810 (4. Aufl.))

DICTIONARY.

ABA A ADY.

Abacus, the upper member of a column,
which serves as a covering to the capital.
To the Tuscan, Doric and ancient Ionic,
it is square; to the modern Ionic, Co-
rinthian and Composite, each side is
arched, or cut inwards, and is decorated
in the centre with a flower or other or-
nament. See Plates 9, 10.

Acanthus, a plant, whose leaves form
an ornament in the Corinthian and
Composite capitals, and are said to
have originally given rise to the former
order.

Acroteria, a kind of base, placed on
the angles of pediments, usually for the
support of statues, &c.

Adytum, a sacred place in a temple,
where none but priests were allowed to