Archit. Also 8 som(m)ering. [app. f. SUMMER sb.2 + -ING1.] a. collect. The beds of the stones or bricks of an arch considered with reference to their direction. b. The radial direction of the joints of an arch. c. The degree of curvature of an arch.
The term perhaps originally indicated the support given by the impost from which the arch springs (cf. F. sommier) and which by its mould determines the curve of the arch, but there is no evidence for a sense (given in some recent Dicts.) ‘the first mass of masonry laid upon a pier, column, etc. when it begins an arched construction.’
1703. T. N., City & C. Purchaser, 9. The Centre for the Skew-back or Sommering to point to…. By Sommering, is to be understood the level Joints betwixt the Courses of Bricks in the Arch.
1703. Moxon, Mech. Exerc., 279. According to the breadth of the Piers between the Windows, so ought the Skew-back or Sommering of the Arch to be.
1751. Halfpenny, New Des. Chinese Bridges, II. 8. The middle Pieces are taper, according to the somering of the Arch.
1823. P. Nicholson, Pract. Builder, 329. In arching, the beds are, by some, called summerings. Ibid., 593. Sommering, the continuation of the joints of arches towards a centre.
attrib. 1703. Moxon, Mech. Exerc., 275. Divide the upper Hanse from the centre O, making a right Angle from each sommering Line to the Ellipsis…, this will be the Sommering Mould for the Hanse;… then make another Sommering Mould to fit between two of these Lines.
1725. W. Halfpenny, Sound Building, 55. Cut the Arch on the End of the Brick, as also the Summering Joint.
