barrel vault

noun, Architecture
1.
a vault having the form of a very deep arch.
Also called barrel roof, cradle vault, tunnel vault, wagon roof, wagon vault.
Origin
1840-50
Related forms
barrel-vaulted, adjective
Examples from the web for barrel vault
  • The sewer's barrel vault clearly reaches into the darkness beyond-one wonders how far.
  • The interior consists of a barrel vault with a box at the rear which contains two rows of rectangular plaques naming the deceased.
  • The building currently contains barrel vault ceilings and carved wood columns.
  • The random rubble limestone walls of the tall barrel vault forming the fort are pierced by loopholes.
British Dictionary definitions for barrel vault

barrel vault

noun
1.
(architect) a vault in the form of a half cylinder Also called wagon vault, tunnel vault