A
modillion is an ornate bracket, a
corbel, underneath a
cornice and supporting it, more elaborate than
dentils (literally translated as small teeth). All of these words are commonly used as verbs in a historic tense to describe neatly any particular structure, such as a parapet or eaves. They occur classically under a
Corinthian or a
Composite cornice, but may support any type of
eaves cornice. Modillions may be carved or plain.