Secco (lit. “dry”): as contrasted with Fresco (which see), “fresh or wet.” Terms used in connection with Tempera painting (which see) according as the surface of plaster be dry or freshly spread at the time the colour is applied.
Section: a drawing showing a building or part of a building, as it would appear if it were cut through vertically, and the part between the plane of section and the spectator’s eye were removed.
Serdab: the cell within an Egyptian tomb, in which images of the deceased were placed.
Sexpartite: applied to vaults, divided into six compartments. In Romanesque churches, owing to the short intercolumniation, the bays were oblong. Hence for convenience of construction two were treated together as a square. Sometimes from the intermediate columns a transverse shafting was constructed, which together with the diagonals divided the square into six divisions.
Shaft: the main member of a Column between the Capital and (where there is one) the Base.
Soffit: the under side of an entablature, lintel, cornice, or arch.
Solar: a private upper chamber for the use of the family, in a Mediæval Castle.
Spandril or Spandrel: the triangular space on each side of an arch that is enclosed in a rectangle.
Sphinx: a winged monster, combining human and animal forms.
Spire: the pointed termination to a tower. See Steeple.