Half-moon shaped space, formed when a horizontal cornice transects a round-headed arch at the level of the imposts, where the arch springs. French for “little moon.”

Area set crosswise to the nave in a cruciform building in church architecture. Also separates the nave from the sanctuary.

The space where the congregation is located during the church service. Greek for “shrine.”

Vertical structure holding up beams or vaults; column acting as a support for a cupola or a groin vault in a church. Derived from the Greek pyle, meaning “gate.”

Lowest form of base or platform on which a wall, column, monument or structure rests, usually lying directly on the ground. Derived from the Greek plinthos, meaning “tile, brick, squared stone.”