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GLOSSAKY.
Op;k. (Gr. On-rj.) The beds of the beams of a floor or roof as in a Grecian temple, the
space between which are called the Metopje,
Open Ne"wei. Stairs. See Newel.
Opening. (Sax.) That part of the walls of a building which is unfilled, for admitting
light, ingress, egress, &c. See Aperture.
Opisthodomus. (Gr.) The same as the Roman posticum, being the enclosed space in
the rear of the cell of a temple.
Opposite Angles. Those formed by two straight lines crossing each other, but not two
adjacent angles.
Opposite Cones. Those to which a straight line can be applied on the surfaces of both
cones.
Opposite Sections. The sections made by a plane cutting two opposite cones.
Optic Pyramid. In perspective, that formed by the optic rays to every point of an object.
Optic Eays. Those which diverge from the eye to every part of an original object.
Orangery. A gallery or building in a garden or parterre opposite to the south. See
Greenhouse. The most magnificent orangery in Europe is that of Versailles, which
is of the Tuscan order, and with wings.
Oratory. (Lat.) A small apartment in a house, furnished with a small altar, crucifix,
&e., for private devotion. The ancient oratories were small chapels attaclied to monas-
teries, in which the monks oflFered up their prayers. Towards tlie sixth and seventh
centuries the oratory was a small churcli, built frequently in a burial-place, without
either baptistery or attached priest, the service being performed by one occasionally sent
for that purpose by the bishop.
Orb. (Lat. Orbis.) A knot or foliage of flowers placed at the intersection of the ribs of
a Gothic ceiling or vault to conceal the mitres of tiie ribs. See Boss.
Orchestra. (Gr. Gpxfojxai.') In ancient architecture, the place in the theatre where the
chorus danced. In modern theatres it is tlie enclosed part of a theatre, or of a music
room, wherein the instrumental and vocal performers are seated.
Order. (Lat.) In Grecian, Koman, and Italian architecture, an assemblage of parts,
consisting of a base, shaft, capital, architrave, frieze, ami cornice, whose several services
requiring some distinction in strengtli, have been contrived in five several speciesTus-
can, Doric, Ionic, Corinthian, and Composite ; each of these has its ornaments, as well
as its general fabric, proportioned to its strengtli and use. These are the five orders of
architecture, the proper understanding and application of which constitute tlie foundation
of all excellence in the art.
Ordinate. In geometry and conies, a line drawn ff-om any point of the circumference of
an ellipsis or other conie section perpendicular to, and across the axis, to tlie other side.
Ordonnance. (Fr. from the Lat.) The perfect arrangement and composition of any ar-
chitectural work. It applies to no particular class, but the term is general to all spec'.es
in which there has existed anything like conventional law.
Organical Description of a Curve. The method of describing one upon a plane by
continued motion.
Oriel, or Oriel Window. (Etym. uncertain.) A large bay or recessed window in a hall,
chapel, or other apartment. It ordinarily projects from the outer face of the wall
either in a semi-oi^tagonal or diagonal plan, and is of varied kinds and sizes. In lar^o
halls its usual height is from the floor to the ceiling internally, and it rises from the
ground to the parapet on the outside
;
sometimes it consists only of one smaller window
supported by corbels, or by masonry projecting gradually from the wall to the sill of
the window. A bow window projects circularly, and was formerly called a compass or
embowed window
;
whilst the projection of tlie oriel is made up of angles and straight
lines forming generally tlie half of a hexagon, octagon, or decagon, and was better
known l)y the name of hay tuindow, shot window, or outcast, window, a distinction, how-
ever, not generally observed.
Orientation. (Lat. Oriens.) The deviation of a church from due east, it being supposed
that the chancel points to that part of the east in which the sun rises on the day of the
patron saint. This point, however, has not been fiilly investigated.
Original Line, Plane, or Point. In perspective, a line, plane, or point referred to tlie
object itself.
Orle. (Ital.) A fillet under the ovolo or quarter round of a capital. When the fillet is
at the top or bottom of the shaft of a column it is called a cincture. Palladio uses the
word orle to express the plinth of the bases of the columns and pedestal.
Ornament. The smaller and detailed part of the work, not essential to it, but serving to
enrich it ; it is generally founded upon some imitation of the works of nature.
Ornamented English Architecture. That phase of mediseval architecture in England
which is generally called tlie Decorated period
;
it was comprised chiefly in the reigns
of the three first Edwards.