mullion

Everyday

A vertical (upright) bar of stone or wood that divides a window into two or more parts, especially in old churches and Tudor houses. tree →

In the lessons

A building and history word: Tudor and Elizabethan houses have «mullioned windows» with many small panes. In The Wind in the Willows Toad Hall and the old castle-gaol have such ancient windows, which make the buildings feel old and grand. In maths: mullions are often at equal spacing – a window 3 m wide with 2 mullions has 3 equal lights.

Examples

• The old manor house had tall mullioned windows. tree →
• Moonlight shone between the stone mullions. tree →
• The church window was divided by three mullions. tree →
• Tudor houses often have mullions and leaded glass. tree →
• A mullion splits the window into narrow parts. tree →
• We drew the castle with its mullioned windows. tree →

Note

Countable. Adjective: mullioned. A vertical bar is a mullion; a horizontal one is a «transom».