Flying Buttress (Noun)
Meaning
A buttress that stands apart from the main structure and connected to it by an arch.
Classification
Nouns denoting man-made objects.
Examples
- The Gothic cathedral's stone walls were supported by a series of flying buttresses that helped to counteract the lateral forces of the wind and the weight of the roof.
- The main challenge of building the medieval church was designing flying buttresses that could transmit the forces from the vaulted ceiling to the exterior walls.
- The cathedral's architect carefully positioned the flying buttresses to create a sense of balance and harmony between the sturdy stone columns and the soaring vaults.
- The flying buttresses of the ancient church were beautifully crafted with intricate stone carvings that added to the overall aesthetic of the building.
- The addition of flying buttresses to the design of the building allowed the architects to create larger windows and higher ceilings, flooding the interior with natural light.