The following terms define Building and Machine Partsbackstay: supporting or checking piece in mechanism, esp. anchored tension member that supports compression member. baffle: obstructing member, esp. used to hold back or turn aside flow of gas or liquid. bail: supporting half hoop; hinged bar that holds paper to platen in typewriter. ball-and-socket joint: joint between rods or links in which ball-like termination fits into concave, spherical socket. baluster: small vertical member connecting stair tread and handrail. band: ring or encircling strip, used esp. to bind something. bar: straight supporting to. barb: sharp, hooked projection. barb and shaft: point and length of weapon, missile, or tool. base: bottommost component on which structure rests. baseboard: finished interior trim where wall meets floor. baseplate: steel plate at bottom of steel column. baseshoe: molding placed against baseboard at floor. batten: narrow wood strip that covers seam between boards. batter boards: horizontal crosspieces nailed to posts in ground at corners of excavation to locate corners and establish level. beam: horizontal structural member of wood or steel, used to support load. beam pocket: notch that holds supporting beam. bearing: sliding or turning machine part point of support. bearing pile: column sunk into ground or foundation to support vertical load. bearing wall: wall that supports a floor or roof and walls above it. becket: looped rope with large hook and eye, used to secure loose ropes and spars. bed: horizontal layer of masonry mortar that holds bricks. berm: narrow dirt ledge that supports beams. bilge: point of largest circumference of cask or barrel. bit: cutting or drilling part of tool. block: enclosure for pulley; mold; building unit. boom: projecting beam, spar, or supporting arm. boss: raised knob on flat surface. box beam: hollow structural member that supports loads. brace: connecting or reinforcing element, usually of wood. bracket: projecting support fixture. brake: machine element used to stop motion. breather: vent, as in machine covering or storage tank used to equalize pressure or permit entry or escape of vapor . bridging: rows of small diagonal braces nailed between ceiling joists to support floor weight. bristle: stiff hair, filament. building block: component or part of structure. building material: substance from which something is made or constructed. built-ins: furniture and other nonstructural elements permanently incorporated in building. built-up beam: support made of several smaller beams joined together. bulkhead: partition; retaining wall. bulwark: fortified wall or rampart. bumper: shock-absorbing element. bung: stopper in opening or spout of cask. butt: thick end of something. button: small, pressable control knob. buttress: projecting support structure. bypass: auxiliary pipe or channel connected to main passage, used to conduct gas or liquid around pipe or fixture. |
