lacuna

• Nom désignant une lacune, un vide ou une partie manquante dans un manuscrit, un texte ou une séquence ; désigne également un panneau décoratif en creux dans un plafond ou une coupole.

A noun referring to a blank gap, missing part, or hiatus in a manuscript, text, or sequence; also denotes an ornamental sunken panel in a ceiling or dome.

1. Missing or empty spaceC1formal

   A gap or absence in a series, text, or record where something is expected but lacking.

   Lacune (espace manquant ou vide)

   • The historian found a lacuna in the manuscript where several pages had been torn out.
   • There is a lacuna in the data between 1990 and 1995.
   • The translator had to guess the meaning of a word due to a lacuna in the original text.
   • Lacunae in the fossil record make it difficult to trace the evolution of the species.

   Synonymesblankgaphiatusholeomissionvoid

   Antonymescompletenessfullness

2. Decorative sunken panelC2formalart

   An ornamental recessed panel, often square or rectangular, set into a ceiling or dome, commonly found in classical architecture.

   Caisson

   • The ceiling of the Roman temple was adorned with elaborate lacunae.
   • The Renaissance palace featured gilded lacunae in its grand hall.
   • Restorers carefully cleaned the lacunae to reveal the original frescoes inside them.
   • The dome’s lacunae created a play of light and shadow that enhanced the interior beauty.

   Synonymescaissoncoffer