Architecture

Definition of arch

The dictionary of the Royal Spanish Academy (RAE) recognizes multiple meanings of the term arch, which comes from the Latin word arcus. The first of these is used in the field of geometry and refers to a fragment of a curve. A geometric arc, therefore, is a part of a circumference. It can also be said that […]

Definition of room

A room is a place intended for rest or accommodation. The concept can refer to a particular room or environment, or to the building used as lodging. For example: “Thank you for dinner, now I am going to retire to my room to rest”, “Where will we find a room in this town? There is no one […]

Definition of rigging

Rigging is a concept that has several uses. In its broadest sense, it refers to the set of elements that are needed to carry out some tasks. For example: “The firemen had to use a rig to rescue the horse that had fallen into the well”, “My father built a rig to paint the ceiling with […]

Definition of amphitheater

An amphitheater is a structure that can be circular, oval or similar in shape and that has stands, from where the public can watch different types of events. For example: “The Irish band will perform tomorrow at the park amphitheater with free admission”, “The government announced that it will remodel the lake amphitheater to increase […]

Definition of cistern

A cistern is a water reservoir that is installed underground. The concept comes from the Arabic language and refers to a cistern, according to the first meaning included by the Royal Spanish Academy (RAE) in its dictionary. In general, cisterns allow the storage of drinking water. Its structure appeals to […]

Definition of Alhambra

Alhambra is a term that is not part of the dictionary compiled by the Royal Spanish Academy (RAE). It is the name given to a citadel built by the Muslims in Al-Andalus, as the Iberian territory dominated by this people in the Middle Ages was known. The Alhambra is located in what is now the […]

Definition of windowsill

Window sill is a concept used in architecture to refer to the construction element that is located in the lower section of a window and covers the parapet (also called the breastwork). Regarding the etymological origin, we can say that it is a word that derives from the Spanish Arabic al-hayza, which in turn means […]

Definition of eaves

Eaves comes from wing, a term that usually refers to the limbs of animals that allow these species to stay in the air; to the parts of an aircraft that allow it to fly; or to some type of extremity. In the field of architecture, the eaves are the section of the roof that […]

Definition of knocker

A door knocker is a metal element that is installed on a door so that a person can knock on it to announce their arrival. Originally, door knockers were usually shaped like a reptile, hence the etymology of the term takes us back to a word from classical Arabic that can be translated as “lizard”. […]

Definition of Alcazar

An alcázar is a fortified structure or the residence of a prince. The term in our language comes from a word in Hispanic Arabic, which in turn is derived from classical Arabic and has a more distant origin in the Latin castra (which can be translated as “camp”), according to the dictionary of the Royal Spanish Academy (RAE), […]