Ar"chi*tec`ture (?; 135), n. [L. architectura, fr. architectus: cf. F. architecture. See Architect.]
1.
The art or science of building; especially, the art of building houses, churches, bridges, and other structures, for the purposes of civil life; -- often called civil architecture.
Many other architectures besides Gothic.
Ruskin.
3.
Construction, in a more general sense; frame or structure; workmanship.
The architecture of grasses, plants, and trees.
Tyndall.
The formation of the first earth being a piece of divine architecture.
Burnet.
Military architecture, the art of fortifications. -- Naval architecture, the art of building ships.
© Webster 1913.