Fig. 118. Arch-buttress.
Buttress, Arch. An abutment employed to increase the solidity or stability of a wall; it may either immediately abut on the wall, or be connected with it by a flying or arch-buttress (Fig. [118]). In the Romano-Byzantine and lanceolated styles buttresses are largely employed to strengthen the walls of naves which have to support high vaulted roofs.
Buxum, R. (πύξος). Box, an evergreen, the wood of which was used for various purposes, as with us. By analogy, the term buxum was applied to objects made of this wood, such as combs, flutes, children’s shoes, and waxed tablets for writing.
Buzo, O. E. The arrow for an arquebus, or cross-bow. French, boujon: “a boult, an arrow with a great or broad head.” (Cotgrave.)
Byrrus. (See Birrus.)
Byssus, Gr. and R. (βύσσος). The precise meaning of this term is unknown; there is no doubt it was a texture made of some very costly material, since we learn from Pliny that the byssus cloth which he calls linum byssinum was exceedingly dear. Everything leads us to suppose that it was a linen material of the finest quality. This opinion would seem to be confirmed by Herodotus and Æschylus. The word comes from the Hebrew butz.
Fig. 120. Byzantine ornament on an English font.
Fig. 119. Byzantine Font.