Meaning & use
modillion
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Meaning
nouncountablespecialist
A small ornamental bracket, often scroll-shaped, placed in a row under the projecting edge of a cornice in classical architecture.
Grammar: Takes a: each modillion supports the cornice.
Patterns
- modillions under a cornice
Carved modillions run along the underside of the roof edge.
The restorer replaced a missing modillion with a copy made from oak.
Corinthian cornices are often decorated with modillions.
Word forms
| plural | modillions |
|---|
Common combinations
- carved modillion
- A carved modillion decorated every corner.
- modillion cornice
- The house has a classic modillion cornice.
- row of modillions
- A row of modillions ran beneath the roof.
- replace a modillion
- The carpenter had to replace a rotted modillion.
- scrolled modillion
- A scrolled modillion held up the corner.
Synonyms and how they differ
- corbel
- A corbel is a general projecting support in stone or wood, while a modillion is a specific ornate bracket under a cornice.
- bracket
- Bracket is the everyday word for a support, whereas modillion is the classical architectural term.
- dentil
- A dentil is a small block in a row under a cornice, plainer than a scrolled modillion.
Word family
Commonly confused: modillion or medallion? modillion or million?
modillion vs medallion
A medallion is a round decorative plaque or large medal, not a bracket.
modillion vs million
Million is just a number; the spelling is similar but unrelated.
Practice
A row of scroll-shaped brackets under the edge of a classical roof cornice are called ____.
Choose one answer.
Modillions are decorative brackets under a cornice. Medallions are round plaques, and mullions are vertical window dividers.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “modillion”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.