Ăs'tra-gal, n.
n. [Lat. astragalus, Gr. ἀστράγαλος, the ankle-bone, a molding in the capital of the Ionic column, a leguminous plant.] 1. (Arch.) A little round molding which surrounds the top or bottom of a column in the form of a ring, representing a ring or band of iron, to prevent the splitting of the column. It is often cut into beads or berries, and is used in ornamental entablatures to separate the several faces of the architrave.
Sense 2. (Gun.) A round molding on a cannon near the mouth.