Top most part of a column, indicating the architectural order to which it belongs. In Romanesque and Gothic capitals the classic orders were supplanted by the original inspiration of each artist, resulting in endless variety of historical and legendary scenes, floral designs, and grotesque figures. Medieval atchitects also discovered the ability of the column to carry a load of much greater diameter than the shaft, by gradual enlargement of the capital toward the top.
This dictionary contains not only definitions and explanations of every subject in Religion, Scripture, tradition, doctrine, morals, sacraments, rites, customs, devotions and symbolism, but also accounts of the Church in every continent, country, diocese; missions, notable Catholic centers, cities, and places with religious names; religious orders, church societies, sects and false religions. It has brief articles also on historical events and personages, on the Old Testament and New, and on popes, prelates, priests, men and women of distinction, showing what the Church has done for civilization and correcting many errors which have hitherto passed for history.Wikipedia
Read More