astragal

American  

[as-truh-guhl] / ˈæs trə gəl /

noun

Architecture, Furniture.

1. a small convex molding cut into the form of a string of beads.

2. a plain convex molding; bead.

3. a molding attached to one or both meeting stiles of a pair of double doors in order to prevent drafts.

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astragal British  

/ ˈæstrəɡəl /

noun

1. architect

   1. Also called: bead.  a small convex moulding, usually with a semicircular cross section

   2. a moulding having the form of a string of beads

2. carpentry a glazing bar, esp in a bookcase

3. anatomy the ankle or anklebone

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Etymology

Origin of astragal

1555–65; < Latin astragalus < Greek astrágalos a vertebra, the huckle-bone, a molding, a kind of vetch; in plural, dice (i.e., huckle-bones)

Example Sentences

The remarkable Roman arches, massive buttresses and blind doorway, framed by two primitive capitals with a wreath-shaped astragal, are apparently vestiges of constructions of an earlier date than those of Abbot Thierry.

From Rheims and the Battles for its Possession Illustrated Michelin Guides to the Battle-Fields (1914-1918) by Various

The curves bear a distant resemblance to the volutes of a capital; above this base appears a ring or astragal, the origin of which may be easily guessed.

From A History of Art in Chaldæa & Assyria, v. 1 by Armstrong, Walter, Sir

A cavetto molding, enriched with a bead and reel astragal and another drilled rope torus, outlines the dark marble facings about the fireplace opening.

From The Colonial Architecture of Philadelphia by Cousins, Frank

The style of carving of the cymatium with its astragal should be the Lesbian.

From The Ten Books on Architecture by Vitruvius Pollio

An ovolo of conventional egg and dart motive with the customary bead and reel astragal outlines the black marble facings of the fireplace opening.

From The Colonial Architecture of Philadelphia by Cousins, Frank