clerestory

or clear·sto·ry

[ kleer-stawr-ee, -stohr-ee ]

noun

, plural clere·sto·ries.

1. Architecture. a portion of an interior rising above adjacent rooftops and having windows admitting daylight to the interior.
2. a raised construction, as on the roof of a railroad car, having windows or slits for admitting light or air.

clerestory

/ ˈklɪəˌstɔːrɪ /

noun

1. a row of windows in the upper part of the wall of a church that divides the nave from the aisle, set above the aisle roof
2. the part of the wall in which these windows are set Compare blindstorey

Derived Forms

• ˈclereˌstoried, adjective

Other Words From

• clerestoried adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of clerestory¹

1375–1425; late Middle English, equivalent to clere clear + story story ²

Word History and Origins

Origin of clerestory¹

C15: from clear + storey

Example Sentences

The organ gallery gets a strong white light from a row of long windows in the clerestory, which have not even coloured glass.

From The Daily Beast

This is also a good point from which to study the clerestory as seen in choir and crossing.

From Project Gutenberg

The March sunshine slants in pale shafts through the clerestory windows, leaving the aisles in shadow.

From Project Gutenberg

The windows on the south side of the clerestory are without the trefoil which ornaments the base of those on the north side.

From Project Gutenberg

The blank window next to the tower is also wanting; in other respects the clerestory presents the same features as on the north.

From Project Gutenberg

The outer moulding of the window arch of the south transept clerestory has billet ornament.

From Project Gutenberg