barbican

American  

[bahr-bi-kuhn] / ˈbɑr bɪ kən /

noun

1. an outwork of a fortified place, as a castle.

2. a defensive outpost of any sort.

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barbican ¹ British  

/ ˈbɑːbɪkən /

noun

1. a walled outwork or tower to protect a gate or drawbridge of a fortification

2. a watchtower projecting from a fortification

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Barbican ² British  

/ ˈbɑːbɪkən /

noun

1. a building complex in the City of London: includes residential developments and the Barbican Arts Centre (completed 1982) housing concert and exhibition halls, theatres, cinemas, etc

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Etymology

Origin of barbican

1250–1300; Middle English barbecan, barbican < Old French barbacane or Medieval Latin barbacana, perhaps ≪ Persian bālāḥāna terrace over a roof, upper floor, altered by association with Latin barba beard, a beard marking the front or face of a thing

Example Sentences

If the barbican fell, the castle still had two courtyards, or baileys, from which last gasp fighting could be carried out.

From Salon

He did not look back as he rode away from Bliant Castle—and Elaine, standing on the barbican tower, did not wave.

From Literature

And suddenly the madness was behind and they were clattering across the cobbled square that fronted on the castle barbican.

From Literature

A good friend, sir, to a man in danger, may stand like a barbican, as it were, before a fortress, encountering the first attack of the enemy.

From Project Gutenberg

Soon in his saddle sate he fast, And soon the steep descent he past, Soon crossed the sounding barbican, And soon the Teviot side he won.

From Project Gutenberg