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. 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.
1883. in N. Middl. Chron., 6 Jan., 8/1. Nine feet Yellow Arris Rails.
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.
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.
