Wondrous Words from Architecture

May22

I discovered both of these words (which I have may have encountered before but have forgotten through disuse) in The Strange Fate of Kitty Easton by Elizabeth Speller.

The protagonist, Laurence Bertram, is a scholar of church history, including their architecture.

ammonite photo ammonite_zps2090d1d5.jpg Ammonite: (from the horn of Ammon – Jupiter – whose statues were represented with ram’s horns): Any of the flat, usually coiled fossil shells of an extinct order of mollusks.

pg 22 She indicated an ornate bench. Two stone ammonites supported the stone seat (. . .)

Pantile: A roofing tile having an S curve, laid with the large curve of one tile overlapping the small curve of the next

Pg135 A handful of nearer [houses], more finished than the rest, had leaded windows and hanging pantiles
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Wondrous Words Wednesday photo wondrouswordsWednesday_zps7ac69065.png
Wondrous Words Wednesday is a weekly meme where you can share new words that you’ve encountered or spotlight words you love. It’s hosted by Kathy at Bermuda Onion.

posted under Book stuff, Wondrous Words

14 Comments to

“Wondrous Words from Architecture”

On May 22nd, 2013 at 9:47 am bermudaonion (Kathy) Says:
I’ve seen pantiles plenty of time but never knew what they’re called. Thanks for enlightening me!
On May 22nd, 2013 at 10:15 am Debbie Says:
Me too, Kathy! In fact, the view from my bedroom window at my last home was of a neighbour’s roof, done with pantiles. But all those years I looked them, I called them clay tiles. 😉
On May 22nd, 2013 at 12:00 pm Tribute Books Mama Says:
Saw pantiles before, thanks! for sharing.
On May 22nd, 2013 at 2:19 pm Julia Tomiak Says:
Yes Debbie, pantile sounds so much more sophisticated than “clay tiles”. Thanks for sharing. And ammonite doesn’t have to be limited to architecture. If I can just remember it…
On May 22nd, 2013 at 6:54 pm Debbie Says:
That’s the trouble with all of these words, isn’t it, Julia – remembering them? I never can!
On May 22nd, 2013 at 10:34 pm Margot Says:
I love the pictures you added, especially the tiles. They are so beautiful.
On May 22nd, 2013 at 10:53 pm Debbie Says:
Thanks, Margot. I’ve been trying to choose nouns for these Wondrous Words so I can illustrate them. I find it helps me to remember them!
On May 23rd, 2013 at 4:54 am Mary Okeke Says:
Pantiles… lovely. It is always good to learn something new. The other word, I am not sure I am going to remember it… unless I read it again.

Thanks for sharing.
On May 23rd, 2013 at 9:12 am Debbie Says:
I may remember ammonites, Mary, as it is also the name of an ancient people mentioned frequently in the Bible. (Although how or why Jupiter became known as Ammon is beyond me.)

Thanks for dropping by.
On May 23rd, 2013 at 5:25 pm LadyInRead Says:
Both new words for me.. though i have seen both of them around..
On May 24th, 2013 at 10:24 pm MarthaE Says:
It is so fun to learn (or refresh) new words from reading.
On May 26th, 2013 at 5:26 pm Kristen Says:
You mentioning ammonites brings me right back to my college geology class a good 20 some years ago. 🙂
On June 4th, 2013 at 10:33 pm Deb Nance at Readerbuzz Says:
My rockhound husband has plenty of ammonites around my house!
On June 24th, 2013 at 9:33 am Harvee@ Book Dilettante Says:
I ‘d love to read that book with the interesting architectural/art references.