An abridgment of the architecture of Vitruvius containing a system of the whole works of that author : illustrated with divers copper plates, curiously engraved : with a table of explanation : to which is added in this edition the etymology and derivation of the terms used in architecture / first done in French by Monsr Perrault, of the Academy of Paris, and now Englished, with additions.

Explication of the Hardest Terms in Architecture.

A

• ABacus, from 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉; which signifies a square Trencher: In French it's called Talloir; it's that quadrangular Piece commonly ac∣companied with a Cymatium, and serves in∣stead of a Drip or Corona to the Capital. It supports the nether Face of the Architrave and whole Trabeation. In the Corinthian and the Compound Orders, its Corners are called the Horns, the intermediate Sweep and Cur∣vature; the Arch, which his commonly a Rose carved in the middle.
• Acroteria or Acroter's from 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, Summa pars; they may be properly called Pinnacles, for Pias and Battlements were made sometimes more towring; but when they stood in Ran∣ges with Rails and Balisters: Upon flat Buil∣ding they still retained their Name, with this only difference, that such as were placed be∣tween the Angular Points, were stiled the Median, or middle Acroteria.
• Annulets, are little square Parts turned round in the Corinthian Capital, under the Quarter-Round, called Echinus.
• Ante, is a square Pillaster, which the Ancients placed at the corners of the Walls of the Temples.
• ...

• Amphiprostyle, from 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, Circa, and 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉; Columna was a sort of a Temple which had four Columns in the Front of the Temple, and four in the Face behind.
• Architrave, from a Mungril Compound of two Languages, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Principalis, and Trabs; it's the first Member of that which we call Enta∣blature; in Chimnies the Architrave is the Mantle; over the Jambs of the Doors and Lintels of Windows, it's called the Hyper∣thron, from the Greek 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, super, and 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, Janua or Ostium.
• Astragal, from the Greek word 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉; which signifies the Vertebrae, or little Joints in the Neck or Heel; hence the French call it Talon, or the Heel itself: It's a Member of Architecture joyned to Bases, Cornices, Archi∣traves, &c. it's round like a Ring, and there∣fore it's called by the Italians Tondino.
• Atti{que} signifies after the manner of the City of Athens. In Vitruvius it's the Name of the Basis which the Moderns have given to the Dorick Pillar. We call Atti{que} in our Buil∣dings, a little Order placed upon another much greater; for instead of Pillars, this little Order has commonly nothing but Pillasters of a particular Fashion and Order, which we call Atti{que}
• Apophyges, vide Conge.

B

• BAsilica, from the Greek word 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, Rex or King among the Ancients. It was a great Hall which had two Ranges of Pillars, and had two Isles or Wings, upon

• which were Galleries: These Halls, which at first were made for the Palaces of Kings, were afterwards turned into Courts of Ju∣stice, and after that into Churches; which Form has always been observed.
• Ballustre is the lateral part of the Jonick Capi∣tal. Our Workmen have given it that name, because it somewhat resembles a Balluster.

C

• CHanel, in the Jonick Capital, is that part which is under the Abacus, and lies upon Echinus or Egg, and which has its Contours or Turnings on every side to make the Vo∣luta's
• Cariatides are Statues of Women, which serve instead of Pillars.
• Cincture is that part which makes the middle of the Ballustre of the Jonick Voluta.
• Congé in French, in Latin Apopbyges, from the Greek word 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, because that part of the Pillar taking as it were a rise, seems to emerge and fly from the Basis like the Pro∣celtus of a Bone in a mans Leg, In short, it's no more than the Rings or Ferils heretofore used at the Extremities of wooden Pillars, to preserve them from splitting, afterwards imi∣tated in Stone-work.
• Corona is properly that part of the Cornice which the French call Larmer or Drip, be∣cause it defends the rest of the Work from Wind and Weather: It is often taken by Vi∣truvius for all the Cornice.
• Corona, called the Plat or flat Crown, is a par∣ticular Member in the Dorick Gate; it's

• made by so extraordinary enlargement of the Face of the Corona or Drip, that it has six times more Breadth than Projecture. This sort of Corona is no where found among the Ancients, but only in the Writings of Vi∣truvius.
• Cymatium, from 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, which signifies a rou∣ling Wave; is a Member of Architecture, of which the one half is Convex and the other Concave, the one being hollow above, and the other below. There are two sorts of them, the one called the Gola or Throats, or the Doucine, whose advanced part is Concave; and the other is called by the French the Ta∣lon or Heel, whose advanced part is hollow below, as the first is above.

D

• DIE is the middle of the Pedestals, viz. that which is between their Basis and their Cor∣nice. It's so called, because it's for the most part of a Cubit form, as Die's are that are used in play.
• Dentils, or Teeth, is a Member of the Jonick Cornice, which is square, and cut our at con∣venient distances, which gives it the form of a Set or Gang of Teeth.
• Diastyle, from 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 and 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉: Columna is a sort of Edifice where the Pillars are distanced one from another the breadth of 3 Diameters of the Pillar.
• Dipters, from 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 and 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉: Ala signifies that which has a double Isle or Wing; the Anci∣ents called so the Temples, which were sur∣rounded with two Ranges of Pillars, for there

• two Ranges made two Portico's, which they called Wings, we Isles, from the French word Ailes, which signifies Wings, because as Wings are on the sides of Birds, so these of Edifices.

E

• EChinus, from 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, a Hedg-hog; it is a Member of Architecture, which we call a Quarter-round; it has its name from the roughness of its Carving, resembling the prickly Rhind of the Chesnut, and not un∣like the Hedg-hog; it's commonly next to the Abacus, and carved with Ovals and Darts, sometimes called Eggs and Anchors, because these pretended Chesnuts are cut in an Oval form.
• Entahlature signifies properly the Flooring or Lofting with Boards; it comes from the Latin word Tabulatum. In Architecture it's that part which is composed of the Archi∣trave, Frise, and Cornice, for in effect this part is the extream part of the Flooring, which is supported by Pillars, or by a Wall if it have no Pillars.
• Eye is the middle of the Jonick Volute, which is cut in the form of a little Rose.
• Eurythmie, from 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 bene, and 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 numera: it signifies Proportion; it's taken in its gene∣ral signification in Architecture; for in its particular signification it signifies the true measure that is observed in Dancing after Musick.
• Eustyle, from 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 bene, and 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 a Pillar; its the Order where Pillars are rightly placed,

• the Intercolumniations being two Diameters and a quarter.

F

• FAce is a Member of Architecture, which has a great Breadth and a small Projecture; it's in Architraves.
• Filet is a little square streight Member.
• Fresco, and to paint in Fresco or Freth, is an Italian Phrase, and it signifies the Painting which is made upon the Plaistering before it be dry.
• Frise is that part which is between the Archi∣trave and the Cornice.

G

• GNomonick is the Art of making Sun-dials; it's derived from the Greek 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, which signifies that which srews a thing, as the Cock or Pin of the Dyal shews what a clock it is.
• Gorge, or the Gule or Neck, is the narrowest part of the Dorick Capital, which is between the Astragal, above the Shaft of the Pillar and the Annulets.
• Gatte, or Drops, are little parts, which to the number of six are put below every Trigiyph in the Architrave of the Dorick Order.

H

• Hydraulick, from the Greek 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉; which signifies Water, is an Engine that plays by the help of Water, especially where there are Pipes and Flutes.
• Hypethre, from 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 and 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 aether; signi∣fies

• a Building whose inside is exposed to the Rain and open Air. The Ancients called so all Temples that had no Roof.
• Hyperthyron, for 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, super, and 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Janua, a Gate or Door: It signifies that which is a∣bove the Gate; it's a large Table, which is upon the Dorick Gates in the manner of a Frise.

I

• IChnogaphie, from 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 vestigium, and 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Scribo, or Insculpo; which properly signifies the Figure that the Plane of the the Foot im∣presses upon the Earth. By it in Archite∣cture is understood that which is commonly called the Plan of the Edifice.

L

• LAcuner, or Platfond, is the Flooring or Plan∣ching above the Portico's.
• Laconicum was a dry Stove to sweat in: It was so called, because it was much used by the Lacedemonians.
• Larmier or Drip, vide Corona.

M

• MEtope, from 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 and 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, foramen, inter∣vallum. Signifies the Front; it's the Name of the empty spaces in Freeze of the Dorick Order, between the Triglyphs.
• Modillion signifies in Italian a little Model, a little Measure: It's that part which is so of∣ten repeated in the Corinthian and Compound Cornice, which supports the Projecture of the Larmier or Drip. This part is called the

• little Model in respect of the great Model, which is the Diameter of the Pillar; for as the Proportion of an Edifice depends on the Diameter of the Pillar, so the greatness of the Modellians, their number, and their space or distances, must have a just Proportion or true Relation to the whole Fabrick.
• Module or Model is a measure that is made use of to regulate all the Proportion of the Fa∣brick: In the Dorick Order it's half the Dia∣meter of the Pillar; in other Orders the Mo∣dule is the whole Diameter.
• Monoptere, from 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 solus, and 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 ala; is that which has but one Wing or Isle; it was a sort of a round Temple, whose Roof was supported by Pillars only.
• Mutuli, from 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, which signifies defect, as being made thinner, and more abated above than below. It's a sort of a Modellion in the Cornice of the Dorick Order.

N

• NOyan is the middle part of the Flooring of the Ancients. They made it with Ci∣ment, which they put betwixt a Lay or Bed of Pibbles, cimented with Mortar made of Lime and Sand.

O

• ORchestra, from 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 selto; signified the place where they danced; it was the lowest place in the Theatre, which was be∣tween the Scene, viz. the place where the Players acted, and the Seats where the Spe∣ctators sate. It was in this place where the Greek Comedians were wont to dance.
• ...

• Order, those Fabricks are said to be of different Orders, when the Proportion which is be∣tween the thickness of the Pillars and their height, with all other things which are re∣quired to this Proportion, are different.
• Ornaments, Vitruvius so calls the Architrave, Frise, and Cornice.
• Oval, vide Echinus.

P

• PArascenium, from 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 and 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 tentonum, is the back part of the Theatre or Scene.
• Periptere, from 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 circum, and 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 ala, which has a Wing round about. This was a sort of a Temple, which had Pillars on all the four Parts, which was different from the Prostyle, which had only Pillars before. or In the Front, and from the Amphiprostyle, which had only Pillars before and behind, and none on the sides.
• Peristyle, from 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 circum, and 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 columna; signifies that which has Pillars round about: It differs from the Periptere in this, that the Pillars of the Peristyle are within, as it were round about a Court, and those of the Pe∣riptere are without, as in the Temples of the Ancients.
• Pedestal, is that part which supports the Pil∣lar.
• Pied-droit is a square Pillar, which is in part within the Wall.
• Pillaster is the same, with this Difference; that the Pillaster has a Bese and a Capital, as a Pillar hath, which the Pied-droit has not.
• Platt-band is a square Member, which termi∣nates the Architrave of the Dorick Order,

• and passes immediately under the Tri∣glyphs.
• Plinthus signifies a Brick or square Tile. It's in Architecture taken for that square Member which makes the Foundation of the Base of the Pillar.
• Posticum is the back Gate of a Fabrick.
• Portico is a long place covered with a Floor or Flatfond, supported by Pillars.
• Proscenium, from 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 and 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 tentorium; it signifies the forepart of the Scene; it was an Edifice as high as the last Portico of the Thea∣tre, whose Face or Front was adorned with many Ranges of Pillars.
• Prostyle from 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 and 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, signifies that which has Pillars before only. This was one sort of the Temples of the Ancients.
• ...Pseudodiptere, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉: mendax, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉bis, and 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 ala; signifies a false Diptere. This was a kind of a Temple among the Ancients, which had Porticoes round about, which were every one as large as the double Portico of the Di∣ptere.
• Pseudoperiptere, from 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 mendax, and 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, and 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 ala, was a sort of a Temple, where the Side-Pillars were part in the Wall of the in∣ner side of the Temple, which was enlarged sufficiently to enclose within the space which was allowed the Porticoes of the Peri∣ptere.
• Pulpit was the place upon which the Comedi∣ans acted, which we now call the Stage.
• Picnostyle, soom 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 dentus, and 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 co∣lumna; signifies a Building where the Pillars were very close one to another; so that the

• ... Intercolumniation had but a Diameter and a half of the Pillar.

R

• RVdus was a sort of gross Mortar, which was made use of for smoothing, and equally filling and levelling the Superfices of the Walls, before the fine Plaister was laid on: It was likewise made use of for the second Bed or Lay of the Flooring.

S

• SCene signifies a Tabernacle, Tent, or Pavil∣lion, from the Greek 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. It was in the Theatre of the Ancients a great Face or Front of Building, adjoyned with Pillars and Sta∣tues, which had three great Openings, in which were Pictures in Perspective, which repre∣sented the Lodgings where the Tragedians and Comedians dwelt.
• Sabliere is a piece of Wood as long as a Beam, but not so thick.
• Scotia, from 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 tenebrae, Darkness, is a Member of Architecture, hollowed as a De∣mi-channel: It's particularly affected in the Bases where it's placed, between the Torus and the Astragals; it's sometimes put under the Drip, in the Cornice of the Dorick Order.
• Statumen signifies generally whatsoever is made use of to support any thing in Architecture; it is Mortar mixt with Pibbles, which served for the first Lay or Bed in Flooring.
• Systyle, from 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 con, and 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 columna; signi∣fies building where the Pillars seem to be joyned together, for the Intercolumniation is but of two Diameters of the Pillars.

T

• TOrus is a Member in the Base which is round, in the form of a great Ring; it comes from the Latin word Torus, which sig∣nifies a Bed.
• Tringle is a little square Member, which is di∣rectly upon every Triglyph, under the Platt-band of the Architrave, from whence hang down the Guttae, or pendant Drops in the Dorick Order.
• Triglyph, from 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, and 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 sculptura; because it's divided into three parts, and en∣graved, it is a Member in the Freeze of the Dorick Order, directly upon every Pillar, and in certain spaces in the Intercolumniations.
• Tympan signifies a Drum; it's that part of the bottom of the Frontons which answers the naked of the Freeze; it is triangular, and placed upon the Cornice of the Entablature, and covered over again with two other Cor∣nices which slope a little.

V

• VOlute signifies wreathed, and turned about from Volvendo; it's a part of the Capitals of the Jonick, Cotinthian, and Compound Or∣ders, which represents the Burk of a Tree twisted and turned into a Spiral line.

X

• XYste, from the Greek 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, which signifies scraped; it was the place where the Wre∣stlers exercised; it was so called because they made their skins be scraped and rubbed smooth, to make the Sweat fall, and to make their Bodies more slippery, that their Adver∣saries might have the less hold of them when they closed.