Spandrel
/ˈspændrəl/noun
An approximately triangular space between an arch and the surrounding rectangular frame, or a comparable triangular area in architecture.
Did you know?Spandrel comes from a medieval architectural term related to the side space beside an arch, and in modern science the word became famous again through Stephen Jay Gould’s idea of a ‘spandrel’ as a byproduct of design rather than a directly selected feature.
Etymological Timeline
Late Middle English
English
spandrel
“A space or filling between structural elements, especially beside an arch.”
Middle French
French
espaindre / espendre
“To spread out, extend, or stretch out.”
Late Latin
Latin
expandere
“To spread out.”
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*spend-
“To stretch, draw out, or make a libation (ritual pouring).”
Modern English
English
spandrel
“The triangular area between an arch and its enclosing frame, or a similar architectural space.”