oriel

Meaning

1. A large polygonal recess in a building, such as a bay window, forming a protrusion on the outer wall.
2. (obsolete) A small apartment next to a hall, used for dining.

Synonyms

bay window

oriel window

casement

observatory

recess

window

🪟

bay

bow window

dormer

jutty

Pronounced as (IPA)

/ˈɔːɹiəl/

Etymology

Inherited from Middle English: oriel

In summary

From Middle English oriel, from Old French oriol (“gallery, corridor”), Late Latin oriolum (“portico, hall”), probably from Latin aureolus (“gilded”), applied to an apartment decorated with gilding. See oriole. Or a diminutive of Latin os (“mouth”).