pulvin

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pulvin, pulvinata, pulvinus (pl. pulvins, pulvinatae, pulvini).
1. Form resembling a cushion or pillow, such as the baluster-like side of an Ionic volute, called balteus. Pulvination is therefore a swelling, as though a cushion was being squashed. Friezes in some of the Roman Classical Orders are occasionally pulvinated, or bulging out with a convex profile, also called cushioned or swelled.

2. Impost-block or dosseret between the capital and arch in a Byzantine or Rundbogenstil arcade.

3. Pulvinus et gradus inferior were the seat and step below around a warm-water bath in Roman times.

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