Entasis

2 definitions found

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  Entasis \En"ta*sis\, n. [NL., from Gr. ? a stretching; fr. ?; ?
     in + ? to extend.]
     1. (Arch.) A slight convex swelling of the shaft of a column.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     2. (Med.) Same as {Entasia}.


        [1913 Webster]

From WordNet (r) 2.0 [wn]:

  entasis
       n : a slight convexity in the shaft of a column; compensates for
           the illusion of concavity that viewers experience when
           the sides are perfectly straight
       [also: {entases} (pl)]