or SOFIT, in Architecture, any timber ceiling formed of cross beams of flying corniches, the square compartments or pannels of which are enriched with sculpture, painting, or gilding; such are those in the palaces of Italy, and in the apartments of Luxembourg at Paris.

or SOFT, is also used for the underfile or face of an architrave; and more particularly for that of the corona or lambriar, which the ancients called lucunar, the French plafond, and we usually the drip. It is enriched with compartments of roses; and in the Doric order has 18 drops, disposed in three ranks, six in each, placed to the right of the gate, at the bottom of the triglyphs.

SOFI, or SOPHI. See SOPHI.

SOFFENING, in Painting, the mixing and diluting of colours with the brush or pencil.