Definition

1. Noun:
   • A rectangular block of hewn stone used for building purposes: A precisely cut, dressed (squared) stone block, typically with smooth, even faces and edges, used in masonry construction. It is often distinguished from rough, uncut stone.

Usage

• Ashlar is used as a non-count noun to refer to the material or masonry style, and as a count noun to refer to individual blocks.
• It is primarily used in architectural and construction contexts to describe high-quality, finished stonework.

Examples

• Noun:
  • The foundation of the ancient temple was built of massive ashlar.
  • The mason carefully laid each piece of ashlar to create a perfectly flat wall.
  • The building's facade features fine limestone ashlar.

Advanced Usage

• "Coursed ashlar": Masonry where the ashlar blocks are laid in continuous horizontal rows (courses) of equal height.
  • The medieval castle wall was built of coursed ashlar.
• "Random ashlar": Masonry where the ashlar blocks are of different sizes and laid without continuous courses, though still with squared edges.
  • The garden wall had a rustic appearance with random ashlar.
• "Ashlar masonry": The technique or style of building with ashlar blocks.
  • The architect specified ashlar masonry for the prestigious project.

Variants and Related Words

• Ashler (noun): An alternative, less common spelling of .
• Ashlaring (noun): The process of constructing with ashlar; also refers to short vertical timbers in a roof space.

Synonyms

• Dressed stone: Stone that has been worked (cut, squared, smoothed) for construction.
• Squared stone: Stone cut into a block with right-angled sides.
• Hewn stone: Stone shaped by cutting or chopping with tools.

Antonyms

• Rubble: Rough, broken stone of irregular size and shape, used in construction.
• Fieldstone: Natural, uncut stone found on the surface or in fields, used in its natural state.

Noun

1. a rectangular block of hewn stone used for building purposes