voussoir

voussoir Definition

vous·soir (vo̵̅o̅ swär′)

noun

Archit. any of the wedge-shaped stones of which an arch or vault is built

Etymology: Fr < OFr volsoir, curvature of a vault < VL *volsorium < *volsus, for L volutus, pp. of volvere, to roll: see walk

voussoir Usage Examples

Adjective modifier

long: East wall: two-centred arch to nave has long stone voussoirs.
pink: North wall: in the lowest stage is a round-headed 19thC doorway, the arch turned in pink sandstone voussoirs.
gray: Alternate pink and gray voussoirs form a relieving arch.
yellow: South wall:- a round-headed archway of yellow sandstone voussoirs, the door itself recessed by about 0.5m into the doorway.

Modifies a noun

tile: We found stacks of box flue tiles and voussoir tiles in the hypocaust chamber where we would expect to find stacks of flat tiles.

Noun used with modifier

brick: At the west end is a blocked doorway, also round-headed with long brick voussoirs; it is approached by a worn sandstone step.
stone: East wall: two-centred arch to nave has long stone voussoirs.
sandstone: North wall: in the lowest stage is a round-headed 19thC doorway, the arch turned in pink sandstone voussoirs.

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