machicolation

noun ma·chic·o·la·tion \ mə-ˌchi-kə-ˈlā-shən \

Definition of machicolation

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

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machicolated

play \mə-ˈchi-kə-ˌlā-təd\ adjective

Recent Examples of machicolation from the Web

Your feudal lord did not have a range of mottes, baileys, bartizans, drawbridges, dungeons, machicolations and turrets to choose from.

— A-LIST, "Stephen Bayley: Why Taste is the Greatest Taboo," 2 Oct. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'machicolation.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of machicolation

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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1787

in the meaning defined at sense 1a

See Words from the same year