Final answer:
In Gothic church architecture, the stone framework that supports large stained glass windows is known as a buttress, or more specifically, a flying buttress, which is a key aspect of Gothic structural design.
Step-by-step explanation:
In Gothic architecture, the term for the stone framework that supports a large stained glass window is a buttress, specifically a flying buttress. These architectural elements are crucial in Gothic church design as they allow for the walls to be filled with large stained glass windows by transferring the load of the upper structure away from the walls and into the ground. The reduced wall area and use of flying buttresses enabled the creation of vast window openings filled with characteristic Gothic stained glass, adorned with intricate tracery patterns such as plate tracery or bar tracery. The flying buttresses are designed at exact points of potential structural failure, preventing the thin walls from fracturing under the forces of gravity.