Main Entry: ma·chic·o·la·tion

Pronunciation: \mə-ˌchi-kə-ˈlā-shən\

Function: noun

Etymology: Medieval Latin machicolare to furnish with machicolations, from Middle French machicoller, from machicoleis machicolation, from macher to crush + col neck, from Latin collum — more at collar

Date: 1787

1 a : an opening between the corbels of a projecting parapet or in the floor of a gallery or roof of a portal for discharging missiles upon assailants below — see battlement illustration b : a gallery or parapet containing such openings
2 : construction imitating medieval machicolation

— ma·chic·o·lat·ed \mə-ˈchi-kə-ˌlā-təd\ adjective