spandrel
Curve's leftover space
A spandrel is the roughly triangular space between the curve of an arch and the rectangular frame surrounding it, or between two adjacent arches.
In architecture, these spaces are often decorated with ornamental designs.
The term has been borrowed by evolutionary biology to describe traits that arise as byproducts of other adaptations rather than being selected for directly—like the spaces that inevitably appear when you fit arches into rectangular structures.
Curved spanning structure
- vaultSecure storage chamber
- squinchCorner arch supporting dome
- domeRounded vault forming roof
- triangularThree-cornered in form
corner · fill · springer · keystone · haunch · tympanum · lunette · soffit
Decorative branching stonework
- friezeOrnamental architectural band
- medallionLarge decorative disk pendant
- mosaicInlaid pictorial arrangement
- frescoWet plaster painting technique
relief · bas-relief · arabesque · scrollwork · foliate · decorative · carved · painted
Secondary outcome of production
- constraintLimiting condition or rule
- phenotypeObservable characteristics of organism
- traitDistinguishing personal quality
- contingencyUncertain possible event
co-optation · functionalism · critique · organism · developmental · side-effect
arch
Curved spanning structure
triangular · corner · fill · springer · keystone · haunch · tympanum · lunette · soffit · corbel
tracery
Decorative branching stonework
- friezeOrnamental architectural band
- medallionLarge decorative disk pendant
- mosaicInlaid pictorial arrangement
fresco · relief · bas-relief · arabesque · scrollwork · foliate · decorative · carved · painted · gilded
byproduct
Secondary outcome of production
- constraintLimiting condition or rule
- phenotypeObservable characteristics of organism
- traitDistinguishing personal quality
contingency · co-optation · functionalism · critique · organism · developmental · side-effect
beam
Structural support member
- girderMain structural support beam
- bridgeStructure spanning an obstacle
- trussLoad-bearing beam arrangement
connection · joint · steel · plate · web · flange · column · frame · moment · load
- building partsfacades, wall, door, windows, floor
- arches and vaultsarch, barrel vault, round arch, keystone, springer
- Architectural Featuresdome, Gothic arch, lancet, cupola, rose window
- architectural ornamentacanthus, arabesque, arabesques, architrave, baluster
- facadesfacade, curtain walls, front, glass facades, false front
- Roman ArchitectureColosseum, Pantheon, forum, aqueduct, amphitheater