Architecture

Definition of bureau

Bureau is a French word that is not found in the RAE dictionary. The accepted term in our language that has its etymological origin in the aforementioned French word is buró. The idea of ​​bureau is usually used to name the body in charge of directing a political or other type of group. The most common use of bureau is […]

Definition of dome

Dome is a word that comes from the Italian language. The term is often used in architecture to refer to the vault that covers a building, either completely or only partially. Domes are usually semi-spherical and are built around a symmetrical axis. […]

Definition of cover

A cover is something that is placed over something in order to protect it and encase it. The intention is that the cover, as its name indicates, covers the object in question. For example: «We need a cover to protect the furniture before moving», «For our wedding, Aunt Berta gave us a […]

Definition of property

We have to go back to Latin, symbolically speaking, to find the etymological origin of the term “property” that we are dealing with here. It comes from the word praedium, which is made up of the following parts: • The prefix prae, which can be translated as “before”. • The noun aedes, which is synonymous with “house […]

Definition of seat

Seat is a concept that has different uses depending on the context. The etymological origin of the term can be found in Latin, which is the result of the union of the prefix a- (which means “towards”) and the verb sedentare (which can be translated as “to sit”). In its most frequent use, it can refer to a piece of […]

Definition of platform

A platform is the part of a deck that is higher than the rest of the structure. The Persian word tāram, which can be translated as “wooden pavilion”, gave rise to various Arabic concepts that derived into the word used in our language. For example: “When I went up to the platform to […]

Definition of demolition

Demolition is a notion used to name the demolition of buildings. The term is also applied in reference to the materials that are removed from said demolition. For example: “The crane took almost an hour to complete the demolition of the building”, “With the demolition of the old theater, there are no longer buildings of the […]

Definition of pinnacle

Pinnacle is the upper and highest part of a temple or other type of building. It is a characteristic construction element of Gothic architecture, although it also spread to other styles. For example: “I am fascinated by the pinnacle of the cathedral”, “A man threw himself from the pinnacle of the Church […]

Definition of post

Post is a term that comes from the Latin word postis. It is a column, a piece of wood, a stone or another element that is placed vertically and serves as a support or a sign. For example: «Be careful with the posts: they are signaling that an accident occurred a few meters ahead», «A post […]

Definition of apothem

Apothem is a word derived from a Greek word that, when translated into Spanish, is understood as “to lower” or “to depose”. In the field of geometry, this term is used to name the shortest path that separates the central point of regular polygons from any of their respective sides. It can be said, therefore, that […]