noun
- the sloping surfaces or stones at the ends of an arch that support the arch stones
Usage: architecture; masonry
Examples
- The mason carefully positioned the skewbacks before installing the arch stones.
- Proper alignment of the skewbacks is crucial for the arch’s structural integrity.
- The ancient bridge’s skewbacks showed signs of weathering after centuries of use.
- Engineers inspected the skewbacks for cracks during the routine maintenance check.
- The architect specified limestone skewbacks for the cathedral’s main entrance arch.