thole

views updated May 29 2018

thole.
1. Boss or escutcheon at the apex of a timber vault, where the ribs meet.

2. Niche or recess to receive votive offerings in medieval times.

A Dictionary of Architecture and Landscape Architecture JAMES STEVENS CURL

thole

views updated Jun 08 2018

thole2 (arch., dial.) suffer. OE. þolian = OS. tholon, tholian, OHG. dolōn, dolēn, ON. þola, Goth. þulan; f. Gmc. *þul-, repr. weak grade of IE. *tol- *tel- *tḷ- raise, remove, as in Gr. tlênai endure, bear, L. tollere raise, tulī (pt.) bore.

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

thole

views updated May 18 2018

thole1 peg, pin, spec. in the gunwale of a boat. OE. þcl(l) = MLG., MDu. dolle (Du. dol), ON. þollr (fir-)tree, peg, referred to Gmc. *þul-, IE. *tul- (cf. Gr. túlos peg). The want of evidence between OE. and XV prob. indicates loss of the OE. word and its supersession by the ON.

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