barbette

¹ American  

[bahr-bet] / bɑrˈbɛt /

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.

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Barbette ² American  

[bahr-bet] / bɑrˈbɛt /

noun

1. a first name, form of Barbara.

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barbette British  

/ 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

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Etymology

Origin of barbette

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

Example Sentences

Last came the ample habit-coat of heavy cloth, topped by a linen rochet and a stiffly starched barbette of cambric .

From Time Magazine Archive

It was a parallelogram, and mounted barbette guns only.

From Nooks and Corners of the New England Coast by Drake, Samuel Adams

The Mikasa opened the ball by firing a sighting shot from one of the 12-inch guns in her fore barbette, and at the same moment the Russian ships were seen to be getting under way.

From Under the Ensign of the Rising Sun A Story of the Russo-Japanese War by Lumley, Savile

Between the two semi-domes the figure of a man rises above the wall to his middle, suggesting the existence of a barbette within.

From A History of Art in Chaldæa & Assyria, v. 1 by Armstrong, Walter, Sir

En barbette, In barbette, said of guns when they are elevated so as to fire over the top of a parapet, and not through embrasures.

From Webster's Unabridged Dictionary (2nd 100 Pages) by Webster, Noah