ancon: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Very LowHighly technical/specialist
Quick answer
What does “ancon” mean?
A projecting bracket or support, typically in the form of a scroll or volute, on either side of a doorway or under the cornice of a classical building.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A projecting bracket or support, typically in the form of a scroll or volute, on either side of a doorway or under the cornice of a classical building.
In anatomy, an obsolete term for the elbow joint or olecranon. In architecture, it refers specifically to a truss or console that supports a cornice or other projecting element.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No difference in core meaning. Slight potential for more frequent architectural use in British English due to prevalence of classical architecture terminology in conservation contexts.
Connotations
Purely technical/descriptive. Carries connotations of classical architecture, antiquity, and specialist knowledge.
Frequency
Extremely rare in both dialects, limited to architectural historians, classicists, and conservators.
Grammar
How to Use “ancon” in a Sentence
The ancon [supports/projects from] the cornice.Vocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Used in specific disciplines: architectural history, art history, classical studies.
Everyday
Not used.
Technical
Primary domain: architecture, especially classical and neoclassical.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “ancon”
- Pronouncing it as /ænˈkɒn/ (stress on second syllable). The stress is on the first syllable.
- Using it in general contexts.
- Confusing it with 'anchor'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is an extremely rare and technical term, primarily used in classical architecture.
Its main meaning is an architectural bracket or console, often scrolled, that supports a cornice or other projection.
Yes, but it is archaic. It historically referred to the elbow or the olecranon (the bony tip of the elbow). This usage is obsolete.
In British English, it is /ˈæŋkɒn/. In American English, it is /ˈæŋkɑːn/. The stress is always on the first syllable.
A projecting bracket or support, typically in the form of a scroll or volute, on either side of a doorway or under the cornice of a classical building.
Ancon is usually highly technical/specialist in register.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think 'anchor con' (con for console). An ancon anchors and supports a cornice like a console.
Conceptual Metaphor
AN ARCHITECTURAL FEATURE IS A LIMB (from its anatomical meaning of elbow/joint).
Practice
Quiz
In which field is the term 'ancon' most likely to be used today?