pycnostyle
|pyc-no-style|
/ˈpɪknəstaɪl/
closely spaced columns
Etymology
'pycnostyle' originates from Greek, combining 'pyknós' meaning 'close, dense' and 'stylos' meaning 'column'.
'pycnostyle' developed as a technical term in architectural Latin/Neo-Latin and was adopted into English architectural vocabulary as 'pycnostyle' (sometimes spelled 'pycnostyle').
Initially it described the simple idea of 'closely spaced columns'; this core sense has remained stable and is retained in modern architectural usage.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
an architectural term for a colonnade or arrangement of columns with very close intercolumniation (traditionally about 1.5 column diameters apart).
The temple's façade was designed in a pycnostyle, giving the colonnade a dense, continuous rhythm.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Last updated: 2026/01/01 16:04