(within a fortification) a platform or mound of earth from which guns may be fired over the parapet instead of through embrasures.
Navy. an armored cylinder for protecting the lower part of a turret on a warship.
(formerly) an earthen platform inside a parapet, from which heavy guns could fire over the top
an armoured cylinder below a turret on a warship that protects the revolving structure and foundation of the turret
1765–75; < French, equivalent to barbe beard + -ette -ette, probably from the general metaphorical use of barbe for something which protrudes or faces outward
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
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
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
Nicholls directed the barbette guns with a cool courage worthy of the service in which he had been trained, until he was killed by a bursting shell.
From Famous Sea Fights From Salamis to Tsu-Shima by Hale, John Richard
Most of the early vessels fitted with cannon were of the galley type, the guns being mounted on the upper deck, and fired over the bulwarks, en barbette.
From Ancient and Modern Ships. Part 1. Wooden Sailing Ships by Holmes, George C. V.
Inside this tube, which revolves with the gun platform, are "lifts," which hoist the shells up to the barbette.
From The Childrens' Story of the War, Volume 2 (of 10) From the Battle of Mons to the Fall of Antwerp. by Parrott, James Edward
“I don’t think he missed one summer,” said Barbette, who worked at the festival as an apprentice.
From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 28, 2020
“He got involved with a whole bunch of really awesome people out here who were doing exciting TV work,” remembered Barbette, his wife of 28 years.
From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 28, 2020
There was also the matter of raising a family, and Barbette said L.A. felt like the natural place to do that.
From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 28, 2020
Hunt is survived by Barbette and their children Max Hunt, Daisy Hunt and Amy Hunt, as well as his brother George Hunt.
From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 28, 2020
Forman's Regt. for Smith's Barbette to be continued till it is completed.
From The Campaign of 1776 around New York and Brooklyn by Johnston, Henry P.
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
