architecture (ture as tyur)

t. To build. (Keats: Fingal's Cave.) ar-chi-tec-ture (ture = tyŭr), s. [In Ger. architektur ; Fr. architecture ; Sp. arqui- ar-chi-trave, s. [In Ger. architrav , architrab ; tectura ; Ital. architettura ; Port. & Lat. arch i- tectura , from Lat. architect us .] [ARCHITECT.] 1. Properly , the art of building; more spec i fically , the art of building human habitations, temples, or edifices of any kind, whether humble or splendid. The term is generally, however, limited to the art of erecting edifices which, besides answering their primary purpose of utility, are fitted by beauty, by symmetry, and in other ways, to please the eye and gratify the mind. About half a century ago it was common to limit the signification still farther to buildings constructed after Greek or Roman models; but this unduly narrow meaning is now abandoned. Architecture, like other arts, carries out the principles of science, and must rest upon them. So continually, indeed, does it draw upon geometry, that it might almost itself be called a science. The architecture of a people is an index of their mental and moral qualities, and of the state of civilisation which they have reached. Fergu on considers it also more trustworthy than language in settling the question of race. The numerous styles of architecture, partly diverse, partly connected with each other, may be primarily divided into Ethnic and Christian. The following is a more minute cla ification: -In America two styles of architecture worthy of notice exist-the Mexican and the Peruvian. The Chinese have one in Eastern Asia. In India there are two totally distinct races-an Aryan one [ARYAN], of which the Brahmans are the type, and a Turanian one, represented by the Tamuls of the Coromandel coast and Ceylon. The latter were the great builders. Fergu on recognises in India a Booddhist, a Jaina, a Southern Hindoo, a Northern Hindoo, a Modern Hindoo, and a Cash meri an style. In Western Asia there existed, at a more or le remote period, a Phœnician, a Jewish, an A yrian, a Babylonian, a Perse pol it an or Persian, and a Sa an i an type of building; whilst in Europe there were Pelasgian or Cyclopean, Etruscan, and Druidical or Celtic types. A celebrated style commenced in Egypt as the Egyptian style; transferred to Greece, and modified there by A yrian, it was called Grecian, and became a model for universal imitation. Adopted by the Romans, it was called Roman. Pa ing from them, it gave rise in one direction to the Saracenic, Arabian or Moresque, and in another to the Christian style, the latter with Romanesque, Gothic, and Byzantine sub-divisions. [SARACENIC, GOTHIC, .] The following are the leading styles of English architecture, arranged in the chronological order in which they flourished: IMG:content-0717.jpg:[blocks in formation] Fr. & Ital. architrave ; from Gr. άρχι (arch i) chief, and Ital. trave , from Lat. trabs = a beam; Gr. τράπηξ (trapex), gen it. τράπηκος ( trapēkos ) = a beam; τρέπω (trepo) = to turn.] IMG:content-0718.png:[blocks in formation] 2. The ornamental moulding surrounding the exterior portion of the curve belonging to an arch, or round doors, windows, . 3. The mantelpiece in a chimney.