corbel (1), corball, corbil

[O. Fr. cor bel, from Low Lat. corbella a little basket; Lat. corbis a basket, a pannier; Ital. corbella; Fr. corbeau.] Arch.: A form of bracket used in Gothic architecture for the purpose of supporting the ends of timbers, arches, parapets, floors, cornices, . It consists of a projecting block of stone, usually carved in a fantastic manner, and having a receding face. "The corbells were carved grotesque and grim." Scott: Lay of the Last Minstrel, ii. 9. corbel-piece, s. Arch.: A bolster, a wooden supporting-piece, a bracket, a corbel. corbel-steps, s. pl. IMG:content-0932.png:[graphic][merged small][merged small] IMG:content-0933.png:[blocks in formation]