imbrex

[ im-breks, -briks ]

noun

, plural im·bri·ces [im, -br, uh, -seez, -bri-keys].

1. a convex tile, used especially in ancient Rome to cover joints in a tile roof.
2. Architecture. one of the scales in ornamental imbrication.

Word History and Origins

Origin of imbrex¹

1855–60; < Latin, equivalent to imbr- (stem of imber ) rainstorm + -ex noun suffix

Example Sentences

In the simpler type of roof the imbrex is semicircular, but in some of the Greek temples it has vertical sides and an angular top.

From Project Gutenberg