Scarcement

Scarcement
- a flat plain ledge set in a wall. While they were often built in to, for example carry the ends of floor joists, often their purpose in older buildings has become obscure and is a source of puzzlement.
(Illustration) ...

A form of block capital in which the convex lower faces are carved with broad flutings or half-cones.ScarcementExtra thickness of the lower part of a wall, e.g. to carry a floor.

See also: Floor, Cement, Platt, Scallop