corbiestep

Thân thiện

A row of corbiesteps runs along the top of the old brick gable.

Definition

Noun: 1. A step-like projection on the sloping sides of a gable wall: In architecture, a corbiestep is a series of step-like masonry courses, often made of brick or stone, that form the sloping sides of a gable wall above the roofline. It is a decorative feature commonly found in traditional Northern European, especially Dutch and Flemish, architecture.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The old brick farmhouse was distinguished by its tall chimney and ornate corbiesteps.
  • The architect incorporated corbiesteps into the design to give the building a traditional Dutch character.
  • You can identify the style by looking for the distinctive corbiestep gables.

Advanced Usage

• "Stepped gable": This is a common synonym for a gable wall featuring corbiesteps. The terms are often used interchangeably.
  • The historic district is known for its buildings with stepped gables.

Variants and Related Words

• Corbie-step (noun): An alternative spelling, often hyphenated.
• Crowstep (noun): A direct synonym for corbiestep, used with the same meaning.
• Gable (noun): The triangular upper part of a wall at the end of a ridged roof, of which the corbiestep is a specific style.

Synonyms

• Crowstep
• Stepped gable

Notes on Meaning

The term "corbiestep" is highly specific to architectural vocabulary. Its primary and essentially only meaning refers to this particular decorative masonry feature on a gable. The word "corbie" itself is an old Scots and Northern English word for a crow or raven, possibly alluding to the bird-like appearance of the steps perched on the gable.

Học thuật

Noun

1. (architecture) a step on the top of a gable wall

Từ đồng nghĩa

• corbel step
• corbie-step
• crow step