fan vault

This term refers to a highly specialized architectural feature characteristic of the Perpendicular Gothic style, most prevalent in English churches and colleges. It is distinguished from standard rib vaults by its decorative, radiating ribs that create a cohesive, conical surface, prioritizing aesthetic symmetry and visual grandeur over purely structural necessity.

Because it describes a specific architectural element, it is used almost exclusively in the contexts of art history, architecture, and heritage conservation. It is rarely used metaphorically and maintains a formal, technical register.