tori
Definition
- Noun (plural: tori):
- Architecture: A large, rounded molding or convex decorative band, especially one forming part of the base of a column. This is also known as a torus.
- Botany: The receptacle of a flower; the thickened part of a flower stalk that supports the floral organs.
Usage Examples
Architecture:
- The base of the ancient Greek column featured a prominent tori. (The rounded molding was a key architectural element.)
Botany:
- The tori of the daisy holds the petals and stamens in place. (The floral receptacle supports the flower's parts.)
Advanced Usage
In architectural contexts: tori is the plural form of torus and is used to describe multiple such moldings.
- The column base had two tori separated by a scotia. (There were two rounded moldings with a concave groove between them.)
In botanical contexts: tori can refer to the receptacles of multiple flowers.
- The botanist studied the tori of various composite flowers. (The receptacles of different species were examined.)
Variants and Related Words
Torus (n): singular form of tori; also a geometric shape resembling a doughnut.
- The column's torus was carved with intricate patterns. (The single rounded molding was decorated.)
Toric (adj): relating to or shaped like a torus.
- The toric surface of the lens corrected the patient's astigmatism. (The lens had a doughnut-like curvature.)
Synonyms
- Molding (architecture): a decorative strip or band.
- Receptacle (botany): the part of a flower stalk that holds the flower parts.
Related Idioms
- No common idioms directly involve . However, in geometry, the term appears in the phrase "torus knot" (a knot that lies on the surface of a torus).