anta

views updated Jun 11 2018

anta (pl. antae).
1. Square or rectangular pier formed by the thickening of the end of a wall, e.g. in Greek temples, where the side-walls or pteromata terminate. When porticoes were formed by carrying the side-walls out beyond the front wall of the naos and placing columns in a line between the antae, the columns, portico, and temple are described as in antis. Greek antae can have capitals and bases differing from those of the Order proper, unlike Roman pilasters, which are usually identical to the columns save for having rectangular plans. Furthermore, antae have either very slight or no entasis, and therefore have parallel sides.

2. Another term for an antepagmentum.

ANTA

views updated May 23 2018

ANTA (ˈæntə) American National Theatre and Academy
• Australian National Travel Association