In Arabic, it literally means collecting things and then compressing them or contracting them. It can also mean a corner. Since many shaykhs sat in the corners of the mosques or madrasas instructing their students so term was thus used for small mosques and oratories. Zawiyas were also used by Sufi tariqas and named after them and in this sense resemble khanqas. Zawiyas however had no lodging area.  

Thumb-ring used by archers, 

Moroccan Arabic term for small enamelled ceramic tiles used to decorate buildings. These are used extensively in North African and Andalusian architecture.  

The Zoroastrian temple, which was in the shape of a tower of many levels.  

See Dhikr. 

Floor covering made of flat weave. 

The extra or empty space between the mosque and the surrounding buffer wall. Not all mosques had ziyadas, but a very good example is the one of the mosque of Ibn Tulun in Cairo.  

Lterally means 'visitation', but is used to refer to a mausoleum. 

Arabic term meaning shaded area, which usually refers to the covered part of the mosque.