hance

noun

ˈhan(t)s

plural -s

1

: a curved contour on a ship (as the fall of the fife rail to the deck)

2

a(1)

: the arc of minimum radius at the springing of an elliptical or similar arch

(2)

: the haunch of an arch

b

: a small arch joining a straight lintel to a jamb

Word History

Etymology

obsolete English hance, haunce lintel, from hance, haunce to raise, from Middle English hauncen, probably short for enhauncen

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