Looking at Buildings

Glossary

Chancel arch: In a church, an arch dividing chancel from nave or crossing.
Channelled rustication: Rustication (the exaggerated treatment of masonry to give an effect of strength), with the horizontal and vertical joints emphasized.
Chantry chapel: A chapel, often attached to or within a church, endowed for the celebration of masses principally for the soul of the founder(s).
Chapter house: The place of assembly for the members of a monastery or cathedral, usually located off the east side of the cloister.
Check: (Scots): A rectangular section cut out of a masonry edge to receive a shutter, door, window etc.; also called a rebate.
Chequer-set: Of corbelling, with corbels set touching at different depths.
Chequerwork: A pattern of chequered squares made with contrasting materials.
Cherry-caulking or cherry-cocking: (Scots): Decorative masonry technique using lines of tiny stones (pins or pinning) in the mortar joints.
Chevet: (lit. head): French term for a chancel with a surrounding aisle (called an ambulatory) and radiating chapels.
Chevron: V-shape used in series or (later) double series on a moulding in Norman architecture. Also (especially when on a single plane) called zigzag.