wythe

See also: Wythe

English

Etymology

Uncertain.

• Perhaps an alteration of width.
• Perhaps related to withe (“flexible twig; band of twigs”), from Old English wiþþe (“tie, band”).

The chimney-partition sense may derive from the fact that a single wythe or thickness of brick has often been used for such partitions.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /waɪθ/
• (reportedly also) IPA^(key): /wɪθ/, /wɪð/
• Rhymes: -aɪθ

Noun

wythe (plural wythes)

1. (masonry) A continuous vertical section of masonry, one unit in thickness.

   That wall has to be at least three wythes of brick to support your load.

2. (architecture) A partition between flues in a chimney.
   • 1986, Jack Payne Jones, Handbook of Construction Contracting: Plans, specs, building, Craftsman Book Company, →ISBN, page 373:

     A chimney runs from the base of the first flue liner to the top of the last flue liner, or to any rain cap above it. Attach single-wythe chimneys to the house.

   • 2003, Carson Dunlop, Principles of Home Inspection: Chimneys & wood heating, Dearborn Real Estate, →ISBN, page 30:

     […] Where there is more than one flue, there is usually a single wythe of masonry separating the flues. Particularly on older chimneys with poor or missing caps, this wythe of brick dividing the flues may be […]

Anagrams

• Whyte, Wyeth, thewy, whyte