mullion

[muhl-yuh n]Architecture

noun

a vertical member, as of stone or wood, between the lights of a window, the panels in wainscoting, or the like.

one of the radiating bars of a rose window or the like.

verb (used with object)

to furnish with, or to form into divisions by the use of, mullions.

Origin of mullion

First recorded in 1560–70; metathetic variant of monial

Related formsun·mul·lioned, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for mullions

Historical Examples of mullions

The mullions of the lower side panels, it will be noted, are specified 5/8 and 3/4 in.
Mission Furniture
H. H. Windsor
The mullions in the windows in the second stage are later insertions.
The Cathedrals of Great Britain
P. H. Ditchfield
Mullions, upright bars of stone between the lights of a window.
The Children of Westminster Abbey
Rose G. Kingsley
In the windows the mullions are continued through the head of the window.
The Children of Westminster Abbey
Rose G. Kingsley
He looked closely at the paint on the mullions and searched for flaws in the glass.
The Cottage of Delight
Will N. Harben

British Dictionary definitions for mullions

mullion

noun

a vertical member between the casements or panes of a window or the panels of a screen

one of the ribs on a rock face

verb

(tr) to furnish (a window, screen, etc) with mullions

Word Origin for mullion

C16: variant of Middle English munial, from Old French moinel, of unknown origin

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

Word Origin and History for mullions

mullion

"vertical column between the lights of a window," 1560s, metathesis of Middle English moyniel (early 14c.), from Anglo-French moinel, noun use of moienel (adj.) "middle," from Old French meien "intermediate, mean" (see mean (adj.)). Related: Mullioned.