Haunched

/ˈhɔːntʃt/ adjective

Definition

Having haunches; having a pronounced hip region, or in architecture, describing an arch that is reinforced at its sides.

Etymology

Formed by adding '-ed' to 'haunch,' creating an adjective. In architecture, 'haunched' became a technical term for a specific type of arch support used in masonry construction.

Kelly Says

Medieval architects developed specialized vocabulary for every structural trick they used—'haunched arch' is one of those beautiful technical terms that shows how much mathematics and engineering went into building cathedrals.

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