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Glite Dictionary
Doric order

Doric order

9.2
A simple ancient Greek style of building with thick columns that have no bases and plain tops
  • noun
  • /ˈdɔrɪk ˈɔrdər/
  • Specialized
translation icon : orden dórico
  • The temple was designed in the Doric order, showcasing its robust columns and minimal ornamentation.

According to Spear, they start with the Doric order and keep on inventing new orders as they go along.

Examples

  • The Parthenon has 48 Doric order columns on its outer level.

    Academic text (2008)

  • According to Spear, they start with the Doric order and keep on inventing new orders as they go along.

    MIT OpenCourseWare

  • Many ancient Greek buildings feature the Doric order due to its simplicity and strength.

  • Architects often admire the Doric order for its ability to convey elegance without excessive decoration.

Synonyms

Dorian order
vsDoric order
  • Specialized
9.9

An old, simple Greek column style with plain tops and usually no base

has identical meaning but uses a different form of the name

How Ornate

Composite order
  • Specialized
9.9
Corinthian order
  • Specialized
9.9
Ionic order
  • Specialized
9.3
Doric order
  • Specialized
9.2
Tuscan order
  • Specialized
9.9

Surface Forms

Doric order singular
Doric orders plural

Morphology

Doric + order

The phrase is transparently compositional: 'Doric' names a specific ancient Greek style and 'order' denotes an architectural style, so their combination straightforwardly denotes the Doric architectural order. This is a literal, technical label with direct equivalents in many languages, so a learner who knows both constituents will readily infer the MWE meaning.

Etymology

Doric order comes from the Dorians, a Greek people who built strong, plain columns long ago. Because their columns often had no bases and simple tops, the name came to mean this 'sturdy' and 'simple' style of classical architecture today.