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Glite Dictionary
🪨 Layered rock 🥇 Applying thin metal 🌱 Leaf growth 🏰 Leaf-shaped design
foliation

foliation

9.5
A decorative leaf shape used in stone carvings and windows
  • noun
  • /ˌfoʊliˈeɪʃən/
  • Specialized
translation icon : ornamentación foliácea
  • Gothic architecture is known for its elaborate use of foliation and floral motifs.

Examples

  • The foliation on the cathedral's facade is stunning.

  • The cathedral's windows feature exquisite foliation in their stone arches.

  • Restorers carefully repaired the damaged foliation on the medieval doorway.

  • Can you see the intricate foliation in that stonework?

  • The epic cathedral was adorned with intricate foliation designs that resembled delicate leaves.

  • Gothic architecture features stunning foliation patterns prominently displayed in stained glass windows.

  • In the stonework of the chapel, the foliation added a natural elegance that enhanced the overall beauty.

Synonyms

foliage
vsfoliation
1 6.8

A decoration on a building that looks like leaves

is a specific Gothic ornament often in tracery or stonework

Antonyms

plainness
1 3.5

Being simple and without decoration

How Decorative

foliation
  • Specialized
9.5
decoration
39 1.0
plainness
1 3.5

Surface Forms

foliation singular
foliations plural

Morphology

foliation = foliate (semi-transparent) = foli + ation

The architectural sense ('leaflike ornamentation') is derived from 'foliate', but it is a domain-specific usage that may require prior knowledge.

Etymology

Foliation comes from the Latin folium meaning 'leaf' and is related to foliage, so in architecture it names decorative shapes that look like carved leaves. That's why buildings with leaf-shaped stone patterns are said to show foliation.