ovolo

[ oh-vuh-loh ]

noun

, Architecture.

, plural o·vo·li [oh, -v, uh, -lahy].

1. a convex molding forming or approximating in section a quarter of a circle or ellipse.

ovolo

/ ˈəʊvəˌləʊ /

noun

1. architect a convex moulding having a cross section in the form of a quarter of a circle or ellipse Also calledquarter roundthumb Compare congé echinus

Word History and Origins

Origin of ovolo¹

1655–65; < Italian, variant (now obsolete) of uovolo, diminutive of uovo egg ¹ < Latin ōvum

Word History and Origins

Origin of ovolo¹

C17: from Italian: a little egg, from ovo egg, from Latin ōvum

Example Sentences

Echinus (e-kīnus), in architecture, the ovolo or quarter-round convex moulding, seen in capitals of the Doric order.

From Project Gutenberg

They are of similar size and general appearance to the ordinary ovolo moulding plane.

From Project Gutenberg

Ovolo, a moulding, the profile of which resembles the outline of an egg, used in Classic architecture.

From Project Gutenberg

A simple, hand-tooled ovolo ornaments the jambs and architrave casings of the keyed arch.

From Project Gutenberg

A reeded ovolo and deeply cut and drilled denticulated member lend sufficient emphasis to the string course of the cornice.

From Project Gutenberg