The word "pendentive" sounds like an adjective, as in "The man was pendentive as he stood waiting for a cab." It's actually a noun that describes a particular architectural element. It is defined as a spherical triangle that acts as a transition between a circular dome and a square base on which the dome is set. This is not to be confused with a "squinch" (one of my favorite architectural terms).
A squinch is an arch or a system of concentrically wider and gradually projecting arches, placed at the corners of a square base to act as the transition to a circular dome placed on the base.You are now prepared for the day this might appear on Jeopardy...
15 comments:
No wonder Some Guy's Blog scores big with teachers.
But where does the Flying Buttress come into play?
(Thank you for giving me the opportunity to type "buttress.")
Chris you're so damn smart! I've never heard of that term before.
... I still swear I've heard a song that has 'the cherry ride' in it. ...
But how does this play with the Corbel and will I need a Truss?
My son is interested in architecture-- he'll actually love learning that.
While going through a box of stuff from when I taught sixth grade, I came across my copy of David Macauley's "Cathedral," which your post today reminded me of-- and to remember to give it to my son this weekend.
Dick: maybe you're thinking about "Free Ride"? Or Mustang Sally (ride, Sally, ride)?
man, Dr. Seuss must've been an architect!!
Damn it! Someone beat me to flying buttress!
Years ago some friends & I had a jokey band called The Flying Buttresses.
Wait, I'm still confused. The squinch is the curvy bit in the corners and the pendentive is the flat bit above that, below the dome?
Thanks, Chris.
Can you share some Santa Fe style terminology with us? I never know what to call stuff on this house, so it makes me sound as dumb as I really am.
Randy- You know it!
Cherry- Anytime. Buttress is a fun word.
Dick- I am pretty smart, ain't I?
S.D.- Ask your doctor. He or she will know.
Johnny- If he's into architecture, tell him to start a sketchbook and sketch things he sees that he likes. Even with computers, freehand drawing skills are essential.
B.O.- I think you're thinking of a sneetch.
Spooney- You gotta be quick around here!
Gizmo- It's just two different techniques for doing the same thing. The squinch requires a little niche to be formed. It's less efficient.
Anon- I probably know as much as you about SW architecture.
I feel so learned having read this, thanks!
Ah, I see! That's another band name in waiting, The Less Efficient Squinch.
These both sound like the kind of things that you might use at the end of an argument, such as,"Squinch this, you pendentive Bitch, 'for I kick your sorry Buttress!"
Sorry, I only know enough about architure to build an igloo.
Doc
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