Stretcher is a horizontal bonding course in brickwork construction where bricks are laid lengthwise with their long sides parallel to the face of the wall, creating a distinctive pattern that enhances both structural integrity and aesthetic appeal. This fundamental masonry technique, developed through centuries of architectural evolution, serves multiple critical functions in brick wall construction. The primary purpose of stretcher bonds is to distribute loads evenly across the wall structure while creating strong interlocking connections between adjacent bricks. When implemented in a wall system, stretchers alternate with other bonding patterns to create various traditional arrangements, such as the common bond, English bond, or Flemish bond, each offering distinct structural and visual characteristics. The stretcher course's significance extends beyond its structural role, as it contributes significantly to the wall's thermal performance, moisture resistance, and overall durability. In contemporary architectural design, stretcher bonds continue to be essential elements in both traditional and modern construction methods, adapting to new building technologies while maintaining their fundamental principles. The technique has garnered recognition in various design competitions, including the A' Design Award's architecture and building design categories, where innovative applications of traditional brickwork methods are celebrated for their contribution to sustainable and aesthetically pleasing architectural solutions.
masonry construction, brick bonding, architectural patterns, structural integrity, wall construction, building techniques, load distribution
Stretcher is a term used in the field of art and design, particularly in the context of painting and canvas preparation. A stretcher refers to a wooden frame used to stretch and support a canvas, providing a stable surface for painting. Stretchers are typically made from wood bars that are joined at the corners to create a rectangular or square frame. The canvas is then stretched tightly over the frame and secured using staples, tacks, or other fastening methods. The use of stretchers allows for a taut, even surface that prevents the canvas from sagging or warping, ensuring the longevity and structural integrity of the artwork. Stretchers come in various sizes and can be custom-made to accommodate specific dimensions. They play a crucial role in the preparation of canvas for painting, as a properly stretched canvas provides a foundation for the artist to create their work. The quality and construction of the stretcher can impact the overall appearance and durability of the finished painting. In addition to their functional purpose, stretchers also contribute to the presentation and display of the artwork, as they provide a means for framing and hanging the canvas
canvas, frame, wood, painting, art, support, surface, artwork, construction
A stretcher is a versatile term that can refer to various objects in different fields. One of the most common uses of the word stretcher is in the medical field, where it refers to a device used to transport patients who are unable to move on their own. Medical stretchers can come in different shapes and sizes, depending on their intended use. For example, ambulance stretchers are designed to fit inside an ambulance and can be folded for easy storage, while hospital stretchers are often larger and more adjustable to accommodate different patients and medical procedures. Another use of the term stretcher is in the world of art, where it refers to a wooden frame used to support a canvas. The stretcher is an essential component of a painting as it helps to keep the canvas taut and prevent it from sagging or warping over time. Stretchers can be made of different types of wood, such as pine or oak, and can be custom-made to fit the specific dimensions of a painting. In the context of sports, a stretcher is a device used to transport injured athletes off the field. Sports stretchers are typically made of lightweight materials such as aluminum and are designed to be easily maneuverable on uneven terrain. They often come with adjustable straps and headrests to keep the injured athlete stable and comfortable during transport. In the military, a stretcher is a device used to carry wounded soldiers off the battlefield. Military stretchers are designed to be lightweight and durable, as they may need to be carried over long distances in difficult terrain. They often come with handles and straps to make them easier to carry, and some models can be folded for easy storage and transport.
medical, ambulance, hospital, art, canvas, frame, sports, injured, athletes, military, wounded, soldiers
Stretchers are elements in architectural construction that are used to construct walls and other structures. In architecture, a stretcher is a horizontal masonry unit laid between two vertical wall pieces in order to bind them together. Stretchers are usually laid in courses that are stacked one on top of the other. Stretchers often have a groove, or a perforation, that allows for the insertion of a header. Headers are used to join the individual stretchers, creating a sturdy wall or structure. Stretchers are often made of concrete, brick, or stone, and have a variety of shapes and sizes.
Masonry, mortar, reinforcing, ties, bond strength.
The term stretcher, when used in the context of architecture, is defined as a stone block that is cut to a flat surface on one side, and thin on the other, allowing it to be laid between two adjacent walls. Stretchers are typically used in masonry construction, and are a type of brickwork that is used to create a structural bond between two walls. Stretchers are usually used in conjunction with headers, which are stones that are placed at the end of a wall and have a flat face. Headers are used to create an interlocking bond between two walls. Together, stretchers and headers can be used to create a strong and durable masonry structure.
Brickwork, Masonry, Building, Mortar, Wall.
When analyzing the linguistics of the word 'stretcher', it is necessary to classify it according to parts of speech. 'Stretcher' is a noun. Synonyms include bed, cot, pallet, litter, and slab. Related antonyms would be 'contractor' and 'collapser'. Cognates may exist in other languages such as German, where 'strecker' and 'trage' are similar, while variants may include 'stretchers', 'stretching', and 'stretchable'.
Etymology Morphology Stretcher Linguistics Protolanguage Semantics Historical Context Phonology
CITATION : "George Adrian Postea. 'Stretcher.' Design+Encyclopedia. https://design-encyclopedia.com/?E=223491 (Accessed on July 16, 2025)"
The word ‘stretcher’ is an interesting one, with a linguistic history that reflects the development of the English language from Old English to Middle English to the modern language. Originating from the Old English verb ‘streccean’ which means ‘to draw out’ or ‘stretch out’, in its earliest recorded use it primarily refers to a tool used to extend a person’s limbs, such as in the 12th century ‘Layamon’s Brut’ which contains the phrase ‘stræcces of breme stel’. By the 16th century, ‘stretcher’ had shifted to refer to the item itself and in the 1611 edition of the King James Bible it was used in reference to a stretcher that is a bed, as in ‘Lift up thy feet unto the perpetually, and the lame shall be stretched upon thy stretchers’. In modern times, the word ‘stretcher’ has come to mean a variety of items such as a medical stretcher, a part of a loom, or a bar in a picture frame. Morphological adaptations of the word ‘stretcher’ seen in the forms ‘stretching’ and ‘stretched’ provide evidence for the etymological development of the word over the centuries. Pragmatically, ‘stretcher’ is used in a variety of contexts to refer to these different items although the core semantic meaning of ‘stretching’ or ‘stretch out’ remains the same.
Etymology, Morphology, Stretcher, Old English, Middle English, Semantics, Pragmatics, Historical Development.
In linguistics, a stretcher is a term used to denote a piece of fabric, string, wire, or other material used to expand or lengthen something. As a result, stretchers are commonly used in a variety of contexts, such as clothing, home décor, jewelry, and even medical aids. As such, there exists a variety of terms used to denote stretchers across various languages, including ‘dehnbar’ in German, 'étirable' in French, 'dilatabile' in Italian, 'ampliabl” in Spanish, 'usikker' in Norwegian, 'elastisk' in Swedish, 'salaaqe’ in Arabic, ‘伸縮’ in Japanese, ‘신호’ in Korean, ‘伸縮’ in Chinese, and of course ‘stretcher’ in English.
Dehnbar, étirable, dilatabile, ampliabl, usikker, elastisk, salaaqe, 伸縮, 신호, 伸縮, stretcher
Stretcher, as it relates to furniture, is an important structural component. It is made up of two parallel bars, each with a series of mortise and tenon joints which form the basis for the frame of a chair, table, or other furniture piece. These bars are often joined in the middle with stretcher rails to form a stronger support structure. This type of stretcher is credited to the work of the 17th century English joiner and furniture maker, Thomas Chippendale, whose proposed designs served to popularize the use of stretchers in furniture construction.
seat frame, joinery, mortise and tenon, furniture construction
We have 216.545 Topics and 472.615 Entries and Stretcher has 9 entries on Design+Encyclopedia. Design+Encyclopedia is a free encyclopedia, written collaboratively by designers, creators, artists, innovators and architects. Become a contributor and expand our knowledge on Stretcher today.