Dado primarily refers to a rectangular groove cut across the grain in woodworking to create strong joints, such as for shelves in cabinets, or to the lower, often decorated portion of an interior wall in architecture.
Woodworking Definition
A dado forms a three-sided trench perpendicular to the wood grain, distinguishing it from a groove cut parallel to the grain. Woodworkers use table saws or routers with dado blades to produce these for assembling furniture like bookshelves. This joint provides stability without mechanical fasteners.
Architectural Definition
In architecture, the dado is the plain or ornamented section of a column pedestal between the base and cornice, or the lower wall area up to about 3 feet high, often marked by a dado rail. The term derives from Italian for "dice" or "cube," reflecting its block-like form. It was common in 16th-18th century interiors for decoration or protection.
