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arc-boutant

arc-boutant

9.9
A support outside a building that holds up tall walls, like in old churches
  • noun
  • Specialized
translation icon : arco-botante
  • The cathedral's most remarkable feature is its series of arc-boutants supporting the high nave walls.

Examples

  • Restorers carefully repaired a damaged arc-boutant above the choir of the old church.

  • Engineers studied the medieval arc-boutant to understand its structural advantages for tall buildings.

  • The arc-boutant is elegant.

  • The cathedral features several impressive arc-boutants.

  • The cathedral's most remarkable feature is its series of arc-boutants supporting the high nave walls.

  • Restorers carefully repaired a damaged arc-boutant above the choir of the old church.

  • Engineers studied the medieval arc-boutant to understand its structural advantages for tall buildings.

Synonyms

flying buttress
vsarc-boutant
  • Specialized
1 8.6

An outer support that stands away from a wall and connects to it by an arch on churches

means the same thing but is an alternative name for the same feature

Surface Forms

arc-boutant singular
arc-boutants plural

Etymology

Arc-boutant comes from the French parts arc 'arch' and boutant 'pushing' or 'support'. So an arc-boutant is like an 'arch that pushes' standing apart from a building to take weight away and help tall walls stay up.