Anderson, William J.; Spiers, Richard Phené; Ashby, Thomas [Editor]: The architecture of Greece and Rome (2): The architecture of ancient Rome: an account of its historic development ... (London, 1927)

GLOSSARY

Abacus.—The uppermost member of a capital, plain in the
Doric order, moulded in the Ionic and Corinthian orders. The
sides are concave in the Corinthian capital, and curved over the
canted volute of the Ionic capital.
Abutment.—The masonry or brickwork which counteracts the
thrust of an arch.
Acroterium {pi. Acroteria).—The plinths at the angles or
apex of a pediment provided to cany figures or ornaments.
Agora.—A public square or market-place in Greek cities
corresponding to the Forum in Roman cities.
Aisle (Lat., ala, a wing).—Term given to the side passages in
a basilica, separated from one another and from the central area
by columns or piers.
Amphiprostyle.—Term applied to a temple with portico of
columns in front and rear only.
Anathyrosis—The projection of the outer edges of two blocks
of stone towards one another, so as to effect a close joint.
Ancones.—(i) Projecting bosses left on masonry blocks ; (2)
the vertical corbels on either side of a Roman doorway supporting
the cornice over the same.
Anta {pi. Antt).—Pilaster (or corner post) of slight projection
terminating the end of the lateral walls of a cella, or serving as
respond to a column. In the latter case the columns are said to
be in antis.
Antefix.—'The decorative termination of the covering tile-rolls
of a roof at the eaves.
Anthemion (Gr. ’dvOos, a flower).-—Term given to the sheathing
leaves of the flower of the acanthus, sometimes, but erroneously,
called honeysuckle (Fr. palmette), employed in various ways to
decorate acroteria, antefixes, friezes, and the necking of some
Ionic capitals.