oriel

views updated May 11 2018

o·ri·el / ˈôrēəl/ • n. a projection from the wall of a building, typically supported from the ground or by corbels. ∎ (also oriel window) a window in such a structure. ∎ a projecting window, often on an upper story; a bay window.

oriel

The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English

oriel

views updated May 14 2018

oriel, oriole, oryel. Large bay-window projecting from the naked of a wall on an upper storey, supported on brackets, corbels, a pier, or engaged column.

A Dictionary of Architecture and Landscape Architecture JAMES STEVENS CURL

oriel

views updated May 11 2018

oriel †porch; gallery, balcony, upper storey XIV; windowed recess projecting from a building XV; o. window XVIII. ME. oriole — OF. oriol, eurieul passage, gallery, of unkn. orig.

The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology T. F. HOAD

oriel

views updated Jun 27 2018

oriel a large polygonal recess in a building, typically built out from an upper storey and supported from the ground or on corbels; a window in such a structure.

The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable ELIZABETH KNOWLES