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astragal

[as-truh-guh l]
noun Architecture, Furniture.
  1. a small convex molding cut into the form of a string of beads.Compare bead and reel.
  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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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)
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for astragal

Historical Examples

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

    Ten Books on Architecture

    Vitruvius

  • It is distinguished from the astragal because it casts less of a shadow above and below.

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

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

    Woodwork Joints

    William Fairham

  • Fig. 257 is similar to the above, with the exception that the rail of the door is rebated (G) to receive the astragal moulding.

    Woodwork Joints

    William Fairham

British Dictionary definitions for astragal

astragal

noun
  1. architect
    1. Also called: beada 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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Word Origin

C17: from Latin astragalus, from Greek astragalos anklebone, hence, small round moulding
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012