embrasure

American  

[em-brey-zher] / ɛmˈbreɪ ʒər /

noun

1. (in fortification) an opening, as a loophole or crenel, through which missiles may be discharged.

2. Architecture. a splayed enlargement of a door or window toward the inner face of a wall.

3. Dentistry. the space between adjacent teeth.

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embrasure British  

/ ɪmˈbreɪʒə /

noun

1. fortifications an opening or indentation, as in a battlement, for shooting through

2. an opening forming a door or window, having splayed sides that increase the width of the opening in the interior

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• embrasured
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of embrasure

1695–1705; < French, equivalent to embras ( er ) to enlarge a window or door opening, make an embrasure (apparently the same v. as embraser to set on fire ( see embrace ²), though sense shift unclear) + -ure -ure

Related Words

• incision
• indentation