Chapter XXIX: Definitions of Terms and Phrases

The terms and phrases used in describing the work included in this book have been arranged alphabetically in this chapter, together with their definitions. This has been done for the purpose of furnishing a boy with a handy reference, with definitions in a clear and simple form, covering only such points as apply to his particular kind of work.

=Abbreviations=

=d= stands for "penny." E. G. 16d stands for sixteen-penny nails (see page 36).

=I.e.= or =i.e.= stands for "that is."

=E. G.= or =e.g.= stands for "for example."

=Viz.= or =viz.= stands for "namely, to wit."

="= stands for "inch" or "inches." E. G. 2" means two inches.

='= stands for "foot" or "feet." E. G. 2' means two feet.

=etc.= stands for "and so forth."

=Abutting Surface.=--Next or adjoining.

=Animated Animals.=--Animals (such as those used in the back-yard circus) which are constructed and then given life. In the case of the circus animals, the boys who enclose themselves in the bodies furnish the animals with life.

=Bait-stick.=--A stick in a trap, upon which the bait is placed. It is also known as the trigger.

=Baluster.= See Balustrade.

=Balustrade.=--A series of small spindles or posts (Balusters), to the tops of which a bar (Hand Rail) is attached, placed along the sides of stairs and around stair openings. The hand rail is supported at either end by a post (Newel Post). E. G. See Figs. 71 and 75. Also applied to a solid wall built up the sides of a stairway and around the stair openings.

=Batten Door.=--A door formed by joining the boards together with battens.

=Battens.=--Strips of wood, or cleats, fastened across two or more boards to hold them together, as in making a cover or door. E. G. See Figs. 15, 189, and 194.

=Bevel.=--Formed by cutting off the sharp edge of a board or any piece of work. E. G. See Fig. 28. A tool used for laying out bevels

=Bird's Mouth.=--A notch, V-shaped, or the form of a bird's mouth, cut in a piece of work. E. G. See Fig. 8.

=Blind-nailing.= See page 34.

=Brace.=--A strip, board, or heavier piece fastened across two or more pieces to strengthen and steady them; a diagonal strip.

=Bracket.=--A support, generally triangular in shape, screwed or nailed to a wall or object to hold up such things as shelves and cabinets.

=Broom-wire.=--The fine wire which is bound around brooms to hold the straw to the end of the broom-stick.

=Bull's-eye.=--The centre ring of a target.

=Butt-joint.=--When the square end of one piece of wood butts or sets against another piece, the joint formed is known as a butt-joint. The pieces are not cut into as in the case of making other joints.

=Casings.=--The finishing strips placed around door and window openings. E. G. See Figs. 85, 88, and 89. They are also known as Trim.

=Chair Rail.=--A narrow board fastened around the walls of a room at a height equal to that of an ordinary chair-back.

=Chamfer.=--Formed by cutting off the sharp edge of a board. It is much the same as a bevel (see Fig. 28), but the term is more often applied to cases where the bevel is stopped, instead of running the entire length of the edge, and its ends rounded up to meet the square edge of the board. This form of chamfer is used for ornamental purposes, and is known as a Stop Chamfer. Figure 29 shows a form of chamfer used in planing end-wood.

=Cleats.=--Strips of wood fastened to others to strengthen them; or strips secured to an object for the purpose of supporting a shelf or drawers. E. G. See Figs. 15 and 148; also descriptions relating to same.

=Clinching Nails.= See page 34.

=Corbelled Brick.=--Several courses (layers) of brick so laid that each projects a little beyond, or comes a little within, the course below. E. G. See corbelled chimney for doll-house, Fig. 103, Chapter VI.

=Corner Stone.=--A stone placed in the corner of a foundation.

=Cornucopiæ.=--The plural for cornucopia; made by rolling paper or other material into the shape of cones or funnels.

=Countersunk.= See Screws on page 36.

=Cross-piece.=--A piece that crosses another; a piece fastened in a horizontal or oblique position, and extended from one piece to another.

=Cross Section.= See Section.

=Details.=--The parts of which a thing consists; a Detailed Drawing is usually a working drawing, showing all the parts of a piece of work, with dimensions marked upon them.

=Diagonal.=--A strip, board, or heavier piece fastened in an oblique, or slanted, position--used in bracing (see Bracing of Toboggan Platform Framework, Fig. 310); also a line drawn obliquely to another line, several lines, or an object.

=Diagonally.=--In a diagonal direction.

=Diameter.=--The distance equal to a straight line passing through the centre of a circle or a circular object, terminated at both ends by the circumference, or the curved surface.

=Door Frame.=--The wooden frame built in a door opening for the door to swing in. For definition of Jambs, Sill, and Head, see Window Frame.

=Door-stops.=--Wooden strips nailed around the Jambs and Head of a door frame, for the door to swing against, and to make a tight joint between the door and frame.

=Dovetail-joint.=--A tongue, undercut so as to make it wedge-shaped (somewhat the shape of a dove's tail), is prepared upon one piece, and a mortise, the shape and size of this tongue, is cut in the other piece for it to set into. E. G. See Figs. 209 and 210, and text on page 210,