embrasure

[em-brey-zher]

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.

embrasure

/ 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

Other Word Forms

• embrasured adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of embrasure¹

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 ( embrace ² ), though sense shift unclear) + -ure -ure

Word History and Origins

Origin of embrasure¹

C18: from French, from obsolete embraser to widen, of uncertain origin

Example Sentences

Chess, by and large, is a war game played by nonmartial people who would have trouble identifying the business end of an M16 or explaining the difference between an embrasure and a sally port.

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They can also see gun embrasures in the basement, swords from medieval wars and a passageway, now closed off, that was used as an escape route.

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Outside the house came the sound of a pistol-shot; the glass of the window was shattered with a bullet, which, ricochetting from the top of the embrasure, struck the far wall of the room.

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Robin’s bedchamber was off the main hall or living room of the house, in an embrasure of the thick wall.

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It was a worthy song, and it could stir the embrasures and battlements of a strong man’s soul.

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Related Words

• incision 
• indentation