Modillion

noun

noun ·Rare ·Advanced level

Definitions

Noun
  1. 1
    A decoratively carved supporting block atop a column, often underneath a cornice, and usually smaller and more ornamental in function than a corbel.

    "It is a large square structure, two and a half stories in height, with a hipped roof rising above a handsome cornice with prominent modillions and surmounted by a balustraded belvedere."

  2. 2
    (architecture) one of a set of ornamental brackets under a cornice wordnet

Example

More examples

"It is a large square structure, two and a half stories in height, with a hipped roof rising above a handsome cornice with prominent modillions and surmounted by a balustraded belvedere."

Etymology

Borrowed from Italian modiglione. Doublet of moellon.

Data sourced from Wiktionary, WordNet, CMU, and other open linguistic databases. Updated March 2026.