Vault (vault). An arching structure of masonry, brick, or woodwork, forming a canopy, cover, or ceiling. (See Figs. 26 and 27.) Vertical (ver'ti-kal). Being in a position or direction perpendicular to the horizon; upright; plumb.
Vespasian (ves-pazh'yan). A Roman emperor, A. D. 70-79, during whose reign was commenced the Colosseum at Rome.
Vesta (ves'ta). The goddess of the vestal virgins. One Roman temple of this name exists at Tivoli. It still contains windows of the true Roman period. (See Fig. 130.) Vestibule (ves'ti-bill). An entrance or passage hall next the outer door of a house, from which the doors open into the various inner rooms. A porch, lobby, hall.
Vignola (ve-nyfi'la), Giacomo Barozzi. A Renaissance architect and student of architecture. Author of the well-known work on the Renaissance Orders of Architecture. He succeeded Michelangelo as the architect of St. Peter's, Rome.
Vitruvius Pollio (vi-troo'vi-us pol'i-o). A Roman engineer and writer on architecture.
Volutes (vo'luts). A kind of spiral scroll forming the principal ornament of the Ionic and a subordinate part of the Composite capitals. (See Fig.
61.) Votive (v6'tiv). Devoted to some object or deity; generally in commemora tion of a certain event or in consequence of a vow.
Voussoir (voos-swar'): One of the wedgelike stones forming an arch. (See Fig. 98.) Wainscot (wan'skot). The wooden lining of walls, generally in panels and along the lower portion only of their height.
Wave ornament (way or'na-ment). A Greek decorative form of flowing curves, repeated; generally used in a band or frieze. (See M, Plate XL.) Winds, Tower of the. A horologium or water clock erected at Athens by Andronicus Cyrrhestes in the 1st Century B. C. It was octagonal in plan, and very ornate, being surmounted by a bronze triton serving as a weather-vane. (See Figs. 72 and 74.) Zeus (zus). Supreme god of mythology, to whom many temples were erected, the principal one being that at Olympia. Identified with the Roman Jupiter.