triforium
1
9.9
A narrow gallery high on the church wall that looks over the main space
- noun
- /trɪˈfɔːriəm/
- Specialized
:
triforio
- The architect designed a stunning triforium that provided a beautiful view of the nave below.
Examples
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During the renovation, workers carefully restored the triforium to its original medieval splendor.
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Visitors admired the intricate carvings along the triforium during the cathedral tour.
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Wants to meet you at the Triforium at eight o'clock.
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It is first mentioned at the very end of the passage, where it is implicated as the cause of the debauchment of this "monument of the thirteenth century," of its aisles that are too high, its too small triforium, weirdly shaped flyers, and so on.
Academic text (1998)
Surface Forms
Etymology
The word triforium comes from parts like tri- meaning 'three' and -forium meaning 'open space' or 'gallery'. So a triforium is easy to remember as a narrow 'three-part' gallery high above the arches in a large church.