mounture

Noun

mounture (countable and uncountable, plural mountures)

1. (obsolete) The angle at which a gun is raised for firing.
2. (obsolete) The angle of ascension.
   • On the Ecliptick is added the'.Mounture of the Moon's Orb, which turns on the Ecliptick at ae in the Centre at N.1735, William Ross, The New Astronomer, page 65
   • He concludes with an account of several experiments he had lately made in the art of gunnery; upon which, in return to Flamstead's remark of his errors in the eclipse, he takes notice of a mistake made by that Astronomer, in a table of horizontal ranges, wherein a mounture of 42 degrees was put for...1760, Biographia Britannica
3. The part of a loom that holds the harnesses.
   • This is an addition to Duffs draw-boy, and consists in the introduction of a balance weight upon the side of the shaft for the purpose of counterpoising the leads, and enabling the machine to operate with greater ease to the workman in raising a heavy mounture.1822, William Newton, The London journal of arts and sciences, page 50
   • Therefore, in weaving certain fabrics, such, for example, as counterpanes, quiltings, and Jacquard Brussels carpets, the mounture was placed at a considerable distance back of the batten; and a poll shaft or leaf of heddles employed to raise the warps connected with the Jacquard harness for the...1868, William Wood, Erastus Brigham Bigelow, Correspondence Relating to the Invention of the Jacquard Brussels Carpet, page 8
4. (obsolete) A part on any mechanical device that is used for mounting other parts.
   • 16th century, George Gascoigne, The Posies
     A peece as well renforst, as ever yet was wrought, The bravest peece for breech and bore, that ever yet was bought: The mounture so well made, and for my pitch so fit, As though I see faire peeces moe, yet fewe so fine as it: A peece which shot so well, so...
   • What the difference between the said mounture upon 4 such Segments, or upon 4 wheels moving distinctly upon their Axell trees, as also between 2 wheels or one Segment like a Cart, or wheele and 2 segments like a wheele-barrow.1670, Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London, Volume 5
5. (obsolete) The act or process of mounting.
   • This you shall do concerning his ordinary keeping at home, where the Horse hath rest, and that you may dispose of hours as you please; but if you be either in Travel, or Sport, or other occasion, so that you cannot observe these particular times, then you must divide the main and whole quantity of...1704, The Gentleman's Jockey, and Approved Farrier, page 77
   • It was then," as the modest knight says of himself, " the President shewed himselfe to bee a master in that facultie ; for cannonier or other artificer, skilful in the mounture of ordnance, he had none ;1854, Charles Bernard Gibson, The Last Earl of Desmond, page 55
6. A horse or other animal used for riding; a mount.
   • late 14th century, Anonymous, Sir Gawain and the Green Knight
     After messe a morsel he and his men token; Miry was the mornyng, his mounture he askes. Alle the hatheles that on horse schulde helden hym afier Were boun, busked on hor blonkkes bifore the halle yates.
   • No more the Tartar Prince shall vaunt his steed, Thy nobler mounture glory has enroll'd;1789, Joseph Sterling, Poems, page 226