Bucrnia

/bjuːˈkɜːrniə/ noun

Definition

A variant or alternate spelling of bucranium or bucrania, referring to ox skull ornamental decorations in classical architecture.

Etymology

A spelling variant of 'bucranium/bucrania' that appears in some historical and architectural texts, likely from irregular Latinization or regional differences in English architectural terminology.

Kelly Says

Spelling variations like 'bucrnia' remind us that architectural vocabulary wasn't standardized the way modern scientific terms are—different scholars and regions used different spellings for centuries.

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