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.

---

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

---

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

See Examples For:

astragal

Let three of these compose the first fascia with its astragal, four the second, and five the third, the fasciae with their astragals running side by side all round.

From The Ten Books on Architecture by Vitruvius Pollio

An enlarged section of the astragal mould which is grooved to fit on the bar which forms the rebate is also shown.

From Woodwork Joints How they are Set Out, How Made and Where Used. by William Fairham

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 Frank Cousins

The ingots of tin were in the form of an astragal, and an ancient ingot of large size dredged up in Falmouth Harbour, weighing 150 lbs., resembled the letter H in form.

From From John O'Groats to Land's End by Robert Naylor

At the bottom the capital should be of the thickness of the top of the column omitting the congé and astragal.

From The Ten Books on Architecture by Vitruvius Pollio