Architectural Studies Tyler Wells, 2011 M-P

Machicolation A projecting gallery at the top of a castle wall, having openings in the floor through which stones, molten lead, or boiling oil could be cast upon an enemy beneath. A projecting gallery at the top of a castle wall, having openings in the floor through which stones, molten lead, or boiling oil could be cast upon an enemy beneath. Architectural Studies M-P

Mastaba An ancient Egyptian tomb made of mud brick, rectangular in plan with a flat roof and sloping sides, from which a shaft leads to underground burial and offering chambers. An ancient Egyptian tomb made of mud brick, rectangular in plan with a flat roof and sloping sides, from which a shaft leads to underground burial and offering chambers. Architectural Studies M-P

Megaron A building or semi-independent unit of a building, typically having a rectangular principal chamber with a center hearth and a porch, often of columns in antis. A building or semi-independent unit of a building, typically having a rectangular principal chamber with a center hearth and a porch, often of columns in antis. Architectural Studies M-P

Melon dome A bulbous ribbed dome, found especially in Islamic architecture. A bulbous ribbed dome, found especially in Islamic architecture. Architectural Studies M-P

Merlon One of the solid parts between the crenels of a battlement. One of the solid parts between the crenels of a battlement. Architectural Studies M-P

Mesa A natural flat-topped elevation with one or more cliff-like sides, common in arid and semiarid parts of the southwestern U.S. and Mexico. A natural flat-topped elevation with one or more cliff-like sides, common in arid and semiarid parts of the southwestern U.S. and Mexico. Architectural Studies M-P

Metope Any of the panels, either plain or decorated, between triglyphs in the Doric frieze. Also called intertriglyph. Any of the panels, either plain or decorated, between triglyphs in the Doric frieze. Also called intertriglyph. Architectural Studies M-P

Mouchette A dagger-like motif found in Gothic tracery, formed by elliptical and ogee curves. A dagger-like motif found in Gothic tracery, formed by elliptical and ogee curves. Architectural Studies M-P

Nave The principal or central part of a church, extending from the narthex to the choir or chancel and usually flanked by aisles. The principal or central part of a church, extending from the narthex to the choir or chancel and usually flanked by aisles. Architectural Studies M-P

Necessarium The privy of a medieval castle or monastery. Also called garderobe. The privy of a medieval castle or monastery. Also called garderobe. Architectural Studies M-P

Necking The upper part of a column, just above the shaft and below the projecting part of the capital, when differentiated by a molding, groove, or the omission of fluting. The upper part of a column, just above the shaft and below the projecting part of the capital, when differentiated by a molding, groove, or the omission of fluting. Architectural Studies M-P

Necropolis A historic burial ground, especially a large, elaborate one of an ancient city. A historic burial ground, especially a large, elaborate one of an ancient city. Architectural Studies M-P

Nonbearing wall A wall supporting no load other than its own weight. A wall supporting no load other than its own weight. Architectural Studies M-P

Oculus A circular opening, especially one at the crown of a dome. A circular opening, especially one at the crown of a dome. Architectural Studies M-P

Onion dome A bulbous, domelike roof terminating in a sharp point used especially in Russian Orthodox churches to cover a cupola or tower. A bulbous, domelike roof terminating in a sharp point used especially in Russian Orthodox churches to cover a cupola or tower. Architectural Studies M-P

Opisthodomos The rear vestibule of a classical temple. Also called posticum, epinaos. The rear vestibule of a classical temple. Also called posticum, epinaos. Architectural Studies M-P

Oubliette A secret dungeon having an opening only in the ceiling, through which prisoners were dropped. A secret dungeon having an opening only in the ceiling, through which prisoners were dropped. Architectural Studies M-P

Oxeye A comparatively small round or oval window, as in a frieze or dormer. A comparatively small round or oval window, as in a frieze or dormer. Architectural Studies M-P

Palazzo A large, imposing public building or private residence, especially in Italy. A large, imposing public building or private residence, especially in Italy. Architectural Studies M-P

Parterre The rear section of seats, and sometimes also the side sections, of the main floor of a theater, opera house, or concert hall. The rear section of seats, and sometimes also the side sections, of the main floor of a theater, opera house, or concert hall. Architectural Studies M-P

Pediment A wide, low-pitched gable surmounting a colonnade or a major division of a façade. A wide, low-pitched gable surmounting a colonnade or a major division of a façade. Architectural Studies M-P

Pendentive A spherical triangle forming the transition from the circular plan of a dome to the polygonal plan of its supporting structure. A spherical triangle forming the transition from the circular plan of a dome to the polygonal plan of its supporting structure. Architectural Studies M-P

Pergola A structure of parallel colonnades supporting an open roof of beams and crossing rafters or trelliswork, over which climbing plants are trained to grow. A structure of parallel colonnades supporting an open roof of beams and crossing rafters or trelliswork, over which climbing plants are trained to grow. Architectural Studies M-P

Peripteral Collonade Having a single row of columns on all sides. Having a single row of columns on all sides. Architectural Studies M-P

Peristyle A colonnade surrounding a building or a courtyard. A colonnade surrounding a building or a courtyard. Architectural Studies M-P

Pilaster A shallow rectangular feature projecting from a wall, having a capital and a base and architecturally treated as a column. A shallow rectangular feature projecting from a wall, having a capital and a base and architecturally treated as a column. Architectural Studies M-P

Pillar An upright, relatively slender shaft or structure, usually of brick or stone, used as a building support or standing alone as a monument. An upright, relatively slender shaft or structure, usually of brick or stone, used as a building support or standing alone as a monument. Architectural Studies M-P

Pinnacle A subordinate vertical structure terminating in a pyramid or spire. A subordinate vertical structure terminating in a pyramid or spire. Architectural Studies M-P

Pocket Door A door that slides into and out of a recess in a doorway wall. A door that slides into and out of a recess in a doorway wall. Architectural Studies M-P

Podium A solid mass of masonry visible above ground level and serving as the foundation of a building. Also called stereobate. A solid mass of masonry visible above ground level and serving as the foundation of a building. Also called stereobate. Architectural Studies M-P

Portcullis A strong iron grating or timber hung over the gateway of a fortified place in such a way as to be able to be lowered quickly to prevent passage. A strong iron grating or timber hung over the gateway of a fortified place in such a way as to be able to be lowered quickly to prevent passage. Architectural Studies M-P

Portico A porch having a roof supported by columns, often leading to the entrance of a building. A porch having a roof supported by columns, often leading to the entrance of a building. Architectural Studies M-P

Post A stiff vertical support or timber used in timber house framing. A stiff vertical support or timber used in timber house framing. Architectural Studies M-P

Post & Lintel Wall construction utilizing a framework of vertical posts and horizontal beams to carry floor and roof loads. Wall construction utilizing a framework of vertical posts and horizontal beams to carry floor and roof loads. Architectural Studies M-P

Postern A private or side entrance, as one for pedestrians. A private or side entrance, as one for pedestrians. Architectural Studies M-P

Praetorium A structure in a Roman city or fortification that was used as the home or headquarters of the leader or commander. A structure in a Roman city or fortification that was used as the home or headquarters of the leader or commander. Architectural Studies M-P

Pylon A monumental gateway to an ancient Egyptian temple, either consisting of a pair of tall truncated pyramids and a doorway between them, often decorated with painted reliefs. A monumental gateway to an ancient Egyptian temple, either consisting of a pair of tall truncated pyramids and a doorway between them, often decorated with painted reliefs. Architectural Studies M-P