architectonicadj.n.
/ˌɑːkɪtɛkˈtɒnɪk/ A. adj.
1. Of or relating to architecture; suited or serviceable for the construction of buildings.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > the arts > visual arts > architecture > [adjective]
architectonical1608
architective1611
architectonic1645
oecodomical1678
architectural1762
1645 J. Evelyn Mem. (1857) I. 219 Incrusted with marbles and other architectonic ornaments.
1774 G. White Let. 26 Feb. in Nat. Hist. Selborne (1789) 176 With what different degrees of architectonic skill Providence has endowed birds.
1850 J. Leitch tr. K. O. Müller Ancient Art (new ed.) §17 There are musical and architectonic, but no plastic instincts.
1859 T. J. Gullick & J. Timbs Painting 188 To harmonize with the architectonic requirements.
1931 E. Wenham Domest. Silver ii. 8 The various ornamental bands such as the egg and tongue, the ovolo, acanthus leaves and other foliation,..were all of architectonic origin.
1936 Burlington Mag. Apr. 191/1 The general effect produced by Boulle is somewhat plastic and architectonic.
2. Of or relating to construction; constructive.
ΘΚΠ
society > occupation and work > industry > building or constructing > [adjective]
architectonical1608
architective1611
tectonic1656
architectonic1678
edificial1794
structural1801
constructive1817
constructional1870
1678 R. Cudworth tr. Plato in True Intellect. Syst. Universe i. iv. 406 The Demiurgus, or Architectonick Framer of the whole World.
1846 G. Grote Hist. Greece II. i. xxi. 191 The architectonic functions ascribed by Wolf to Peisistratus..in reference to the Homeric poems.
3. Having the function of superintendence and control, i.e. having the relation that an architect bears to the artificers employed on the building; directive, controlling. (So used in Greek by Aristotle.)
ΘΚΠ
society > authority > control > [adjective] > superintending
superintendent1566
supervising1594
architectonical1595
supervisiting1615
superintending1625
architectonic1678
supervisory1815
superintendential1838
supervisal1838
visitatorial1880
1678 Hist. Indulg. in G. Hickes Spirit of Popery (1680) 74 Architectonick and Magisterial Power of making Laws.
1873 J. A. Symonds Stud. Greek Poets iii. 82 Aristotle so regarded one of their most important aphorisms on architectonic supremacy of justice.
4. esp. in metaphorical. Relating to the systematization of knowledge.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > philosophy > epistemology > [adjective] > of or relating to architectonics
architectonic1801
architectonical1857
1801 W. Taylor in Monthly Mag. 12 422 These days of architectonic metaphysicians.
1837 W. Whewell Hist. Inductive Sci. III. xv. viii. §1. 227 Classification is the architectonic science, to which Crystallography and the Doctrine of External Characters are subordinate.
1877 E. Caird Crit. Acct. Philos. Kant ii. xvi. 575 The architectonic impulse of reason, which seeks to refer all science to one principle.
B. n.
Usually in plural. [French l'architectonique] the science
a. of architecture.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > the arts > visual arts > architecture > [noun]
architecture1563
architectonic1850
1660 H. More Explan. Grand Myst. Godliness iii. vi. 72 The Invention of Letters, of Musick, of Architectonicks.
1850 J. Leitch tr. K. O. Müller Ancient Art (new ed.) §42 A style of architectonics..which aimed at magnificence.
b. metaphorical of the systematic arrangement of knowledge.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > philosophy > epistemology > [noun] > systematic arrangement of knowledge
architectonica1856
a1856 W. Hamilton Lect. Metaphysics (1860) IV. App. 230 That [science] which treats of those conditions of knowledge which lie in the nature, not of thought itself, but of that which we think about..has been called..Architectonic, in so far as it treats of the method of building up our observations into system.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1885; most recently modified version published online September 2021).
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adj.n.1645