hance
noun
ˈhan(t)s
plural -s
1
: a curved contour on a ship (as the fall of the fife rail to the deck)
2
a(1)
: the arc of minimum radius at the springing of an elliptical or similar arch
(2)
: the haunch of an arch
b
: a small arch joining a straight lintel to a jamb
Word History
Etymology
obsolete English hance, haunce lintel, from hance, haunce to raise, from Middle English hauncen, probably short for enhauncen