• (n.) Corbel work or the construction of corbels; a series of corbels or piece of continuous corbeled masonry, sometimes of decorative purpose, as in the stalactite ornament of the Moslems.
Structural form preceding the construction of arches, in which horizontal courses narrow progressively from the bottom upwards to create a structure capable of spanning an open space.
In architecture, corbelling refers to blocks stacked upon one another, each one projecting beyond the ones below. A corbelled arch is held in position by the weight of the superstructure operating on the cantilever principle. Examples of corbelled arches are to be found in the Mycenaean theolos tombs.
The projection of masonry formed by building successive courses outwards by a small amount to form small steps with each additional course.
Successive projecting courses of brickwork
Successive projecting courses of brickwork.
the projection of masonry units to form a shelf or ledge.