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From these 32 words, as many per round as you like — up to all of them: first what is due today, then new ones. First you choose, then you fill the gap, then you write it yourself. Mistakes come back again shortly.
More about this list The fifteenth entry is la cupola , a word English already owns, borrowed from Italian and shrunk on the way over. In Italian it carries the thing at any size. La cupola di San Pietro and la cupola del Brunelleschi are the two that people travel to look at; la cupola geodetica is a modern engineering shell; and il duomo , which sounds as though it ought to be the dome, is in fact the cathedral standing underneath one. In English, « a cupola » is only the small one: the lantern, turret or little vaulted cap sitting on a roof, often with windows, on a stable block or a town hall. The big one is « a dome », and no English guide has ever called St Peter’s a cupola. The two words therefore do not overlap — they sit one inside the other. What English means by « cupola », Italian usually calls la lanterna , and la lanterna is the thing that stands on top of la cupola .
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Noun (f) (15)
Grammar for these: Definite article: il, lo, la · Indefinite article: un, uno
la sezione verticale the cross-section Noun (f) C2 La sezione verticale mostra l’altezza dei piani. The cross-section shows the height of the storeys.
l’articolazione dei volumi the articulation of the masses Noun (f) C2 L’articolazione dei volumi rompe la massa dell’edificio. The articulation of the masses breaks up the bulk of the building.
la simmetria the symmetry Noun (f) C2 La simmetria della facciata è perfetta. The symmetry of the facade is perfect.
la scala umana the human scale Noun (f) C2 La piazza è costruita a scala umana. The square is built to a human scale.
la tettonica the tectonics of a building Noun (f) C2 La tettonica dell’edificio si legge dall’esterno. The tectonics of the building can be read from outside.
la campata the span Noun (f) C2 La campata centrale è la più larga. The central span is the widest.
la volta di copertura the vault Noun (f) C2 La volta di copertura poggia su quattro pilastri. The vault rests on four piers.
la cupola the dome Noun (f) C2 La cupola è visibile da lontano. The dome can be seen from far away.
l’abside the apse Noun (f) C2 L’abside chiude la chiesa a oriente. The apse closes the church at the east end.
la corte interna the courtyard Noun (f) C2 La corte interna resta fresca d’estate. The courtyard stays cool in summer.
la loggia the loggia Noun (f) C2 La loggia si affaccia sulla piazza. The loggia looks out onto the square.
la facciata continua the curtain wall Noun (f) C2 La facciata continua non regge il solaio. The curtain wall does not carry the floor.
l’architettura vernacolare the vernacular architecture Noun (f) C2 L’architettura vernacolare usa i materiali del posto. Vernacular architecture uses the materials of the place.
la grana urbana the urban grain Noun (f) C2 La grana urbana qui è fitta e minuta. The urban grain here is dense and fine.
la facciata vincolata the listed facade Noun (f) C2 La facciata vincolata non si può modificare. The listed facade may not be altered.
Noun (m) (17)
Grammar for these: Definite article: il, lo, la · Indefinite article: un, uno
lo sbalzo the cantilever Noun (m) C2 Il balcone è in sbalzo sulla strada. The balcony cantilevers over the street.
l’arco the arch Noun (m) C2 L’arco scarica il peso sui muri laterali. The arch carries the weight down onto the side walls.
lo sperone the buttress Noun (m) C2 Lo sperone regge la spinta della volta. The buttress takes the thrust of the vault.
il capitello della colonna the capital of the column Noun (m) C2 Il capitello della colonna è scolpito a foglie. The capital of the column is carved with leaves.
il frontone the pediment Noun (m) C2 Il frontone porta una scritta in latino. The pediment carries an inscription in Latin.
il pronao the pronaos Noun (m) C2 Il pronao ripara l’ingresso dalla pioggia. The pronaos shelters the entrance from the rain.
il colonnato the colonnade Noun (m) C2 Il colonnato corre lungo tutto il cortile. The colonnade runs the whole length of the courtyard.
il transetto the transept Noun (m) C2 Il transetto taglia la navata. The transept cuts across the nave.
il cleristorio the clerestory Noun (m) C2 Il cleristorio porta luce dall’alto. The clerestory brings light in from above.
l’atrio the atrium Noun (m) C2 L’atrio raccoglie l’acqua piovana. The atrium collects the rainwater.
l’arretramento the setback Noun (m) C2 L’arretramento dei piani alti lascia passare il sole. The setback of the upper storeys lets the sun through.
il rapporto di vetratura the glazing ratio Noun (m) C2 Il rapporto di vetratura decide quanta luce entra. The glazing ratio decides how much light comes in.
il fattore di luce diurna the daylight factor Noun (m) C2 Il fattore di luce diurna si misura in ogni stanza. The daylight factor is measured in every room.
l’apparato decorativo the decorative scheme Noun (m) C2 L’apparato decorativo è stato tolto nel dopoguerra. The decorative scheme was taken off after the war.
il brutalismo brutalism Noun (m) C2 Il brutalismo lascia il cemento a vista. Brutalism leaves the concrete exposed.
il fronte stradale the street frontage Noun (m) C2 Il fronte stradale è continuo su tutto l’isolato. The street frontage is unbroken along the whole block.
l’indice di fabbricabilità the plot ratio Noun (m) C2 L’indice di fabbricabilità limita la superficie costruibile. The plot ratio limits the buildable area.
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