Final answer:
Flying buttresses are architectural elements in Gothic architecture that transfer weight away from walls and ceilings to piers. They allow for higher, thinner walls and more stained glass windows.
Step-by-step explanation:
Flying buttresses are a feature in Gothic architecture that are used to transfer weight away from walls and ceilings to piers built away from the main structure. They became catalysts for the later Gothic style, allowing for higher, thinner walls and more stained glass windows. The flying buttresses act as an exoskeleton, transferring the weight loads from the roofs and upper stories to the ground.