skewback
Angled bearing surface
A skewback is the sloping surface or stone at either end of an arch where the curved structure meets its vertical support.
It provides the angled bearing that allows the arch to spring outward from the pier or abutment.
In architecture and masonry, skewbacks are essential to distributing the arch's weight properly: The mason carefully cut the skewbacks to ensure the arch would stand true.
One that leaps
- keystoneArch's central locking stone
- impostTax on traded goods
- haunchHip and upper thigh
- crownSovereign's ornamental headpiece
archivolt · spandrel · abutment · centering · soffit · rise · span · thrust
Load-bearing end structure
- thrustForceful forward motion
- bearingPosture or orientation
- reactionResponse to stimulus
- compressionForcing into smaller space
pier · buttress · foundation · anchorage · support · stability
springer
One that leaps
crown · archivolt · spandrel · abutment · centering · soffit · rise · span · thrust · semicircular
abutment
Load-bearing end structure
compression · pier · buttress · foundation · anchorage · support · stability
ashlar
Precision-cut building stone
rubble · quoin · bond · joggle · template · wedge-shaped · beveled · inclined