lesene
|le-se-ne|
/ləˈzeɪn/
vertical strip on a wall
Etymology
'lesene' originates from German, specifically the word 'Lesene', where the term referred to a narrow vertical band used in masonry and wall articulation.
'lesene' passed into English architectural vocabulary from German (19th–20th century usage) after being used in descriptions of Romanesque and medieval masonry; the German 'Lesene' itself was used in descriptions of wall-bay articulation and ultimately supplied the English borrowing.
Initially, the term in German described the architectural strip or band on masonry; over time, when borrowed into English it retained the same specialized architectural meaning of a shallow vertical band or pilaster-like strip.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a shallow vertical strip or pilaster-like projection on a wall, used architecturally to articulate or divide a surface (often without a base or capital).
The medieval church's exterior is marked by repeating lesene that divide the bays of the nave.
Synonyms
Last updated: 2025/12/30 12:55