clerestory

clere·sto·ry

noun \ˈklir-ˌstȯr-ē, -st(ə-)rē\

Definition of CLERESTORY

1

: an outside wall of a room or building that rises above an adjoining roof and contains windows

2

: gallery

Variants of CLERESTORY

clere·sto·ry also clear·story \ˈklir-ˌstȯr-ē, -st(ə-)rē\

Illustration of CLERESTORY

Origin of CLERESTORY

Middle English, from clere clear + story

First Known Use: 15th century

Rhymes with CLERESTORY

backstory, centaury, fish story, ghost story, John Dory, Noyori, Old Glory, outlawry, satori, self-glory, short story, sob story, vainglory, war story

clerestory

noun    (Concise Encyclopedia)

Windowed wall of a room that rises higher than the surrounding roofs to light the interior space. In large buildings, where internal walls are far from the outermost walls, the clerestory provides daylight to spaces that otherwise would be dark and windowless. This device was used in Byzantine and early Christian architecture and most highly developed in Romanesque and Gothic cathedrals. As the nave rose much higher than the roofs of the side aisles, its walls could be pierced by a row of windows near the ceiling.