modillion

American  

[moh-dil-yuhn, muh-] / moʊˈdɪl yən, mə- /

noun

Architecture.

1. an ornamental cantilever beneath the corona or similar member of a cornice, stringcourse, etc.

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modillion British  

/ məˈdɪljən /

noun

1. architect one of a set of ornamental brackets under a cornice, esp as used in the Corinthian order Compare mutule

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Etymology

Origin of modillion

1555–65; < Italian modiglione < Vulgar Latin *mutiliōnem, variant of *mūtuliōnem, accusative of *mūtuliō. See mutule, -ion

Example Sentences

The first modillion is a grotesque human being putting his right hand to his mouth while folding his left arm.

From Romanesque Art in Southern Manche: Album by Lebert, Marie

Here, as in the great southern porch, the classic nature of the details is remarkable, the pilasters are all fluted, and the modillion and dentil, derived from Roman models, exist throughout.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 2, Slice 4 "Aram, Eugene" to "Arcueil" by Various

A Romanesque modillion carved with a human head, under the cornice.

From Romanesque Art in Southern Manche: Album by Lebert, Marie

Over the arched window behind the ten Melchisedec pulpits, and just beneath the vertical modillion which forms the keystone of the ornamental wooden arch, is the text, "Holiness unto the Lord."

From Lippincott's Magazine, Vol. 26, August, 1880 of Popular Literature and Science by Various

A Romanesque modillion carved with a human head, under the cornice.

From Romanesque Art in Southern Manche: Album by Lebert, Marie