Squinch

Squinch

A squinch in architecture is a piece of construction used for filling in the upper angles of a square room so as to form a proper base to receive an octagonal or spherical dome. It was the primitive solution of this problem, the perfected one being eventually provided by the pendentive. Squinches may be formed by masonry built out from the angle in corbelled courses, by filling the corner with a vise placed diagonally, or by building an arch or a number of corbelled arches diagonally across the corner.

In Islamic architecture, especially in Persia, where it may have been invented, the squinch took the form of a succession of corbelled stalactite-like structures known as muqarnas. It was also commonly used in the early churches of Europe and the East.


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  • Squinch — (skw[i^]nch), n. [Corrupted fr. sconce.] (Arch.) A small arch thrown across the corner of a square room to support a superimposed mass, as where an octagonal spire or drum rests upon a square tower; called also {sconce}, and {sconcheon}. [1913… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • squinch — (v.) 1840, of faces. Related: Squinched; squinching …   Etymology dictionary

  • squinch — squinch1 [skwinch] n. [var. of scunch, contr. < LME scuncheon < OFr escoinson < es (< L ex ) + coin, corner: see COIN] an interior corner support, as a small arch, corbeling, or lintel, supporting a weight, as of a spire, resting upon …   English World dictionary

  • squinch — squinch1 /skwinch/, n. Archit. a small arch, corbeling, or the like, built across the interior angle between two walls, as in a square tower for supporting the side of a superimposed octagonal spire. [1490 1500; var. of scunch, short for… …   Universalium

  • squinch — I [[t]skwɪntʃ[/t]] n. archit. a small arch, corbeling, etc., built across the interior angle between two walls, as in a square tower for supporting a superimposed octagonal spire • Etymology: 1490–1500; var. of scunch, short for scuncheon < MF …   From formal English to slang

  • Squinch report — is a direct marketing tool used to analyse the results of a mailing. The name is a contraction of sales per square inch, but it is more than this. To perform the analysis the page number and space used per product, including pictures and… …   Wikipedia

  • squinch owl — ˈ ̷ ̷ˌ ̷ ̷ noun Etymology: probably from squinch (III) South & Midland : screech owl …   Useful english dictionary

  • squinch — I. verb Etymology: probably blend of squint and pinch Date: 1835 transitive verb 1. to screw up (the eyes or face) ; squint 2. a. to make more compact b. to cause to crouch down or draw together …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • squinch — 1. noun A structure constructed between two adjacent walls to aid in the transition from a polygonal to a circular structure; as when a dome is constructed on top of a square room. 2 …   Wiktionary

  • squinch — (Roget s Thesaurus II) verb To peer with the eyes partly closed: squint. Idiom: screw up one s eyes. See SEE …   English dictionary for students

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