barbette

[ bahr-bet ]

noun
  1. (within a fortification) a platform or mound of earth from which guns may be fired over the parapet instead of through embrasures.

  2. Navy. an armored cylinder for protecting the lower part of a turret on a warship.

Origin of barbette

1
1765–75; <French, equivalent to barbebeard + -ette-ette, probably from the general metaphorical use of barbe for something which protrudes or faces outward

Other definitions for Barbette (2 of 2)

Barbette
[ bahr-bet ]

noun
  1. a female given name, form of Barbara.

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How to use barbette in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for barbette

barbette

/ (bɑːˈbɛt) /


noun
  1. (formerly) an earthen platform inside a parapet, from which heavy guns could fire over the top

  2. an armoured cylinder below a turret on a warship that protects the revolving structure and foundation of the turret

Origin of barbette

1
C18: from French, diminutive of barbe a nun's barb 1, from a fancied similarity between the earthwork around a cannon and this part of a nun's habit

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