Also 6–7 pl. splaies; 6 spleigh. [f. SPLAY v.1]
1. Arch. ‘A return of work deviating from a right angle, generally applied to the bevelled jambs of windows and doors’ (Loudon).
1507–8. in Gage, Hist. Suffolk: Thingoe (1838), 147. Plasteryng the beystales and the splaies.
1587. Fleming, Contn. Holinshed, III. 1545/2. This sluse was composed with two arches, in length sixtie foot (besides the splaies) at each end.
1604. in Willis & Clark, Cambridge (1886), II. 492. For altering certenne pannelles of his worke for the splaies of ye greate wyndoes.
1708. Phil. Trans., XXVI. 37. Part of the Copeing of the Splay of the Gabel-end it self was broken down.
1725. W. Halfpenny, Sound Building, 13. How to find the inward Edge AFB, so that it shall diminish gradually from nothing at the Crown F, to the Splay of the Jaums at the Springing AC and DB.
1833. Loudon, Encycl. Archit., § 849. To cut all the rakes and splays, and all the chasings required for the lead flashings.
1855. W. Cory, Lett. & Jrnls. (1897), 65. I would carve the name of a man on each stone in the splays and lintels.
1876. T. Hardy, Ethelberta, xxxviii. The daylight … scarcely reached further into Lord Mountclere’s entrance-hall than to the splays of the windows.
attrib. 1669. in Willis & Clark, Cambridge (1886), II. 558. There shalbe sufficient vpright iron barrs in all the lights of all the lower windowes,… to be sufficient iron splay barrs.
b. The degree of bevel or slant given to the sides of an opening, etc.
1860. W. L. Collins, Luck of Ladysmede (1862), I. 95. The bold splay of the window-sides, contrived so as to throw as much light as possible within.
1893. Reliquary, Jan., 13. The inner head stones are by far the larger, as the splay is considerable.
c. The outward spread of a bowl or cup.
1874. H. H. Cole, Catal. Ind. Art S. Kens. Mus., 138. The bowl has a good splay and a curved rim.
† 2. A spread or expanse of boughs. Obs.
1594. O. B., Quest. Prof. & Pleas. Concern., 7. You haue spoken so darkely, that for the thick spleigh of boughes and broad leaues of this tree, I cannot discerne your meaning.
