| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Abacus | Abacus – The slab that forms the uppermost member of a column capital. |
| Abode | Abode means living quarters or residence. |
| Abrasion Test | Material abrasion test measures the ability of warp and weft yarns to withstand friction from wear. |
| Abstract | Design elements showing general forms instead of a detailed and realistic representation. |
| Acanthus | Ornamental design motif representing leaves of the acanthus plant, native to the Mediterranean. |
| Acknowledgments | Acknowledgments – The paperwork forms that the supplier sends to the designer to indicate what the supplier interpreted the designer’s order to be. |
| Acrylic | Acrylic – A water-soluble paint made with pigments and synthetic resin; used as a fast-drying substitute to oil paint. |
| Addenda | Addenda – Corrections or changes are made to the contract documents by the issuance of addenda. Addenda are written by the person or firm responsible for the original set of contract documents. |
| Adit | Adit – A sloping tunnel or shaft driven through a hill or mountainside to reach beds of rock. |
| Aga | Aga – A closed iron range fueled by coke, oil, or gas. |
| Agrillaceous | Agrillaceous – a fine-grained sedimentary rock with grains less than 1/16mm, e.g. clay. |
| Alabaster | Alabaster – A fine-textured, regularly white, gypsum that is easily carved and translucent when thin. |
| Allied Board of Trade | Allied Board of Trade – A national credit agency that specializes in the interior design industry. |
| Aluminum | Aluminum – A lightweight, silver-colored metal used extensively in commercial applications, and occasionally by metal artists. |
| Analogous Color | Analogous colors are hues that are next to one another on the color wheel. Examples would be red and orange or blue and green. |
| Appliqué | Appliqué – A technique whereby pieces of fabric are layered on top of one another and joined with decorative stitches. |
| Aquatint | Aquatint – Printmaking process used to create areas of solid color, as well as gradations of white through black tones. Usually has the appearance of transparent watercolor. |
| Arcade | Arcade – A series of arched columns. |
| Architrave | Architrave – The lower horizontal band of an entablature, located below the frieze. |
| Articulation Class | Articulation Class – A single-number summation of how effective a ceiling is in absorbing sound reaching it from over low partitions. |
| Articulation Index | Articulation Index – Measures the performance of all the elements of a particular configuration working together, including ceiling absorption, space dividers, furniture, light fixtures, partitions, background masking systems, and HVAC system sound. |
| Asahi Ware | Asahi Ware – Pottery made at Uji, Kyoto Prefecture, since the 17th century. Tends to be made of coarse, sandy clay. Kiln is still in making and is well recognized for its modern, computer-controlled technology. |
| Ashlar | Ashlar – A block of stone with straight edges for use in building. |