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to corbel

to corbel

9.6
To make part of a building stick out and be held by stone or brick
  • verb
  • /ˈkɔːrbəl/
  • Specialized
translation icon : sostener con ménsulas
  • The architect decided to corbel the balcony, giving it an elegant, projecting look.

Examples

  • Stone blocks were carefully corbelled to create the decorative ledge above the doorway.

  • The ancient temple's roof was corbelled out over the entrance for additional shade.

  • The architect decided to corbel the balcony for added support.

  • They corbeled the roof to create a unique design.

  • The architect decided to corbel the windows to create a dramatic overhang that would add character to the building.

  • In the old library, the new shelves were corbeled from the wall to give them a floating appearance.

  • To enhance the aesthetic design, they chose to corbel the roof edge with intricate stonework.

Compounds

corbel arch
  • Specialized
9.9

An arch made by stacking layers of stone or brick that stick inward until they meet at the top

corbel step
  • Specialized
9.9

A stone or brick step that sticks out along the sloping edge of a gable wall

How Far

to cantilever
  • Specialized
4 8.9
overhang
15 5.1
to jut
19 4.8
to corbel
  • Specialized
9.6
to project
23 4.3
to protrude
31 5.8

Surface Forms

corbel infinitive
corbeled past
corbeled past participle
corbeling present participle
corbels third person singular

Etymology

Corbel as a verb means to make something stick out from a wall so it can hold weight, and it comes from the same root corvus 'crow' because the projecting part looks like a beak. So to corbel a balcony is to make it project and be held up by that beak-like support.