Ionic order
- noun
- /aɪˈɒnɪk ˈɔrdər/
- Specialized
- The columns in the Ionic order are easily recognized by their spiral volutes.
Examples
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Many ancient Greek temples were built in the Ionic order, giving them an elegant and graceful appearance.
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The Parthenon combines elements of the Doric and Ionic order in its structure.
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The Parthenon features stunning Ionic order columns.
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Many ancient temples used the Ionic order for elegance.
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The Ionic order is easily recognized by its beautifully crafted columns with spiral volutes on the capitals.
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Many ancient temples, such as the Erechtheion, showcase the elegance of the Ionic order in their architecture.
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The Ionic order features delicate proportions and is often seen as more graceful compared to the Doric order.
Synonyms
Relating to an old Greek column style with scroll-like tops
An ancient Greek style for columns with spiral scrolls on their tops
How Ornate
Surface Forms
Morphology
The meaning is directly compositional: 'Ionic' specifies the type (relating to Ionic columns) and 'order' denotes an architectural style, so a learner who knows both constituents can infer it refers to the classical Greek architectural style with Ionic columns. This compositional pattern (type + order/style) is straightforward and common across languages, making the phrase transparent to learners who know the component words.
Etymology
Ionic order comes from ancient Greece, where builders from Ionia made columns with two spiral, scroll-like shapes at the top. That clear picture of the two 'scrolls' is why Ionic order now means the 'style' of columns and buildings with those scroll tops.