GLOSSAEY.

1341
flat covering itself. A terrace or oppii walk at the top of a building. The raised dais on
which the altar stands, and also that on which the font stands.
Plinth. (Gr. nKivBos, a brick.) The lower square member of a base of a column or
pedestal. In a wall the term plinik is applied to two or more rows of bricks at the
base of it, which project from the face.
Plotting.^ The art of laying down on paper the angles and lines of a plot of land
by any instrument used in surveying.
Plough. A joiner's grooving plane.
Plough and Tongued. This is a continued mortise and tenon along the edges of two
boards, the one having a groove cut in it, and the other formed into a projection
; such
work is used to linings and floors. Sometimes both edges are grooved, and a thin
piece of wood or of hoop iron lot into both, while being fixed up or laid. See Heading
Joint.
Plug. A piece of timber driven perpendicularly into a wall with the projecting part
sawn away, so as to be flush witli the face.
Plug and Feather, or Key and Feathkr. A name given to a method of dividing hard
stones by means of a long tapering wedge called the kei/, and wedge-shaped pieces of
iron called feathers, which are driven into holes previously drilled into the rock for the
purpose, and thus forcibly split it.
Plumbing. (Lat. Plumbus.) The art of casting and working in lead and usii.git in build'ng.
Plumb Rule, Plumb Line, or Plummet. An instrument used by masons, carpenters,
&c., to draw perpendiculars or verticals, for ascertaining whether their work be upright,
horizontal, and so on. The instrument is little more than a piece of lead or plummet
at the end of a string, sometimes descending along a wooden or metal ruler raised
perpendicularly on another, and then it is called a level. See Level.
Plumber. The artificer who works in lead and zinc. The fittings for water-closets,
cisterns, pumps, gutters, &e., come under his care.
Pocket. The space in the pulley style of a sashed window. It is also a space closed up,
or nearly so, formed out of a larger space. Pockets are often found in the flues of old
houses, and form one of the great causes of fires, by accumulating the soot, which at last
heats and ignites adjoining woodwork.
Podium. (Lat.) A continued pedestal. A projection which surrounded the arena of the
ancient amphitheatre, See Amphitheatre.
Point. (Lat. Punctum.) In geometry, according to Euclid, that which has neither length,
breadth, nor thickness.
Point, accidental. In perspective, a term used by the old writers on the science to
signify the vanishing point.
Poind of Distance. In perspective, the distance of the picture transferred upon the vanish-
ing line from the centre, or from the point where the principal ray meets it, whence
it is generally understood to be on the vanishing line of the horizon. See Distance.
Point, objective. A point on a geometrical plane whose representation is required on
the perspective plane.
Point of Sight. The place of the eye whence the picture is viewed, according to Dr.
Brook Taylor, but, according to the old writers on perspective, is what is now called
the centre of the picture. It is also called \\\o point
of
view.
Pointed or Lancet Arch. An arch formed by a radius equal to the span of the opening,
and struck from both sides of it on the springing line. A lancet
^^
arch of a higher pitch is formed by the radius being struck as
/^(^\
much beyond the opening as may be desired. See Tierce Point.
^^ /\ /\
Pointed Architecture. The mediseval styles of architecture in
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which the pointed arch is adopted as a principle of construction. / '
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Pointing. The raking out the mortar from between the joints
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of brick work, and replacing tlie same with new mortar.
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Pole Plate. A plate fixed to the lower ends of a truss of a
'
roof, to receive the ends ofthe common rafters, as B in Fig. 688.
Fip. 1435.
PoLTSHiNG. The act of imparting to fancy woods, as wainscot, mahogany, bird's-eye
maple, &c., a brilliant surface to show off their flower to advantage. This is done by
rubbing on them a spirit varnish with great care. Varnish, wax, and a common polish
are rubbed or laid on with a brush for cheapness. See Marble.
Pollard. A tree which has been frequently lopped ox polled of its head and branches, a
practice very injurious to good timber.
PoLYCHROJiY. The decoration of exteriors and interiors of buildings, with colours and
tints. When executed in a single colour, it is called monochrome painting.
Polygon. (Gr. \lo\vs, many, and Tavia, an angle.) A multilateral figure, or one whose
perimeter consists of more than four sides and angles. If the siiles and angles bo
equal the figure is called a regular polygon. Polygons are distinguished according to
the number of the sides ; thus those of five sides are called pentagons, those of six