Talk:Astragal

The current definition is archaic
The definition of Astragal in this entry is as old as the illustration. The advent of materials other than wood and tools other than hand molding planes to make windows and doors has resulted in a large number of designs for astragals. Function (not shape)is now the only attribute that can be used, reliably, to define an astragal. As used on doors:

Door panels are designed to fit between two fixed Jambs. When two door panels are situated side-by-side without Jambs between them and a weather seal is needed where the door panels meet, either: 1) A specially designed door stile must be used on one or both of the door panels allowing the edge of one door panel to seal against the other panel -or- 2) An Astragal designed for the door must be applied to the mating edge of one or both of the panels so that the other door may seal against it.

Astragals may serve a similar function on windows as well. Astragals are used anytime the main frame width or height is increased while the basic glass, sash or vent elements remain the original size so that an additional lite of glass, sash or vent may be added into the main frame and one edge of that new element must serve sealing functions of the original main frame where it engages the edge of one of the original glass, sash or vent elements. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 69.95.106.94 (talk) 22:18, 14 February 2008 (UTC)

Picture
Could we get a picture for Astragales? 2A02:8388:1603:CB00:3AD5:47FF:FE18:CC7F (talk) 11:41, 27 December 2017 (UTC)

Greek/Latin derivation
The etymology in the current version claims "The word "astragal" comes from the Greek and Latin for "vertebra," and the original astragals used in architecture were made in a beaded design, thereby resembling a vertebra" without a citation. In fact, the Greek for vertebra is σπόνδυλος (spondylos); of course it's "vertebra" in Latin. Greek αστράγαλος means "ankle" (Latin talus); cf the EB1911 article. Even if the elements do resemble a vertebra, I'm changing it unless someone produces a better cite. David Brooks (talk) 02:30, 21 January 2018 (UTC)

"Astragal" is also used to mean ankle bones used like dice
What should be done to clarify a different use of "astragal"? Archeologists and scholars of the past speak of astragal used similar to dice in playing games. This has also led to the derived term "astragalomancy". How should we handle this? Insert material explaining that "astragal" has another meaning? Create a totally new article? Insert a Redirect? Other? Pete unseth (talk) 20:49, 13 December 2019 (UTC)