arris
(ˈærɪs)
Also 8 ariss, arriss, 9 aris, dial. arridge.
[Corruption of F. areste (mod. arête) used in same sense: see arête.]
1. The sharp edge formed by the angular contact of two plane or curved surfaces; e.g. the edges of a prism, or the raised edges that separate the flutings in a Doric column.
| 1677 Plot Oxfordsh. 75 Burford-stone..carries by much a finer Arris than that at Heddington. 1793 Smeaton Edystone L. §11 It can by no means be brought to an Arriss or sharp corner. 1855 Whitby Gloss., Arridges, the edges of a piece of squared stone or wood. 1879 G. Scott Lect. Archit. I. 150 A wonderfully studious grouping of the hollows, rounds, and arrises. 1884 F. J. Britten Watch & Clockm. Handb. 50 The chamfering tool with which the aris is removed. |
2. Comb. and attrib., as arris-rail; arris-cut (see quot.); arris-fillet, ‘a slight piece of timber of a triangular section, used in raising the slates against chimney-shafts, or against a wall that cuts obliquely across the roof’ (Gwilt); arris-gutter, a V-shaped wooden gutter fixed to the eaves of a building; arris-piece (see quot.); arris-ways, -wise adv., so as to present a sharp edge, diagonally, ridge-wise.
| c 1850 Rudim. Nav. 123 Arris-cut, this term is applied when the edges of planks are cut to an under bevelling to fay one on another, as the berthing or sides of the well, so that no ballast may get in at the joints. 1867 Smyth Sailor's Word-bk., Aris pieces, those parts of a made mast which are under the hoops. 1833 Loudon Encycl. Archit. 438 The calf-pens to be parted off with oak posts and arris rails (rails presenting two surfaces to the eye, which two surfaces unite in forming an edge or arris between them). 1883 in N. Middl. Chron. 6 Jan. 8/1 Nine feet Yellow Arris Rails. 1962 Listener 23 Aug. 299/3 Even if you cannot treat all the timber [of the fence] in this way, you may at least be able to treat the ends of the arris rails. 1963 Gloss. Terms Timber (B.S.I.) 48 Arris rail, a rail, mainly used in fencing, formed by cutting a square section across its diagonal. 1677 Moxon Mech. Exerc. (1703) 240 An excellent Pavement and pleasing to the Eye, especially when laid Arris ways. 1796 Gentl. Mag. LXVI. 17 Part of an old monument formed ariss-ways. |