[a. F. architecture (? or It. architettura), ad. L. architectūra, f. architect-us: see ARCHITECT and -URE.]
1. The art or science of building or constructing edifices of any kind for human use. Regarded in this wide application, Architecture is divided into Civil, Ecclesiastical, Naval, Military, which deal respectively with houses and other buildings (such as bridges) of ordinary utility, churches, ships, fortification. But Architecture is sometimes regarded solely as a fine art, and then has the narrower meaning explained in quots. 1849, 1879 below.
1563. Shute (title), The first and chief Grounds of Architecture vsed in all the auncient and famous monyments.
1581. W. Stafford, Exam. Compl., i. (1876), 24. Architecture, that is to say, the scyence of building.
1756. Burke, Subl. & B., Wks. I. 292. The management of light is a matter of importance in architecture.
1800. J. Charnock (title), History of Marine Architecture.
1849. Ruskin, Sev. Lamps, i. § 1. 7. Architecture is the art which so disposes and adorns the edifices raised by man … that the sight of them contributes to his mental health, power, and pleasure.
1879. G. Scott, Lect. Archit., II. 292. Architecture, as distinguished from mere building, is the decoration of construction.
2. The action or process of building. arch.
1646. Sir T. Browne, Pseud. Ep., 381. [If] the great Cities Anchiale and Tarsus were built … both in one day … Certainely, it was the greatest Architecture of one day, since that great one of sixe.
1736. Butler, Anal., I. i. 36. Carriages and leavers and scaffolds are [necessary] in architecture.
3. concr. Architectural work; structure, building.
1611. Tourneur, Ath. Trag., V. i. On these two pillars stood the stately frame And architecture of my loftie house.
1759. Johnson, Rasselas, xxix. (1787), 85. The ruins of their architecture are the schools of modern builders.
1864. Burton, Scot Abr., I. v. 291. Architecture, especially if it be of stone.
4. The special method or ‘style’ in accordance with which the details of the structure and ornamentation of a building are arranged.
1703. Maundrell, Journ. Jerus. (1732), 135. The adjectitious Buildings are of no mean Architecture.
1853. Ruskin, Stones Ven., II. vi. Many other architectures besides Gothic.
1883. Rideing, in Harper’s Mag., July, 180/1. The Queen Anne architecture of the day.
5. transf. or fig. Construction or structure generally; both abst. and concr.
c. 1590. Marlowe, 1st Pt. Tamburl., II. vii. The wondrous architecture of the world.
1607. Topsell, Serpents, 627. Hieroglyphical Emblems … made ready and squared for the architecture of this discourse.
1794. Sullivan, View Nat., II. 391. Millions of opaque globes … constitute the moving order of its architecture.
1875. Grindon, Life, xxvi. 337. In beautiful and ingenious architecture, the birds, the bees, and the wasps, have been competitors.
