brattice

American  

[brat-is] / ˈbræt ɪs /

noun

1. a partition or lining, as of planks or cloth, forming an air passage in a mine.

2. (in medieval architecture) any temporary wooden fortification, especially at the top of a wall.

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verb (used with object)

bratticed, bratticing

1. to provide with a brattice (often followed byup ).

brattice British  

/ ˈbrætɪs /

noun

1. a partition of wood or treated cloth used to control ventilation in a mine

2. medieval fortifications a fixed wooden tower or parapet

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verb

1. (tr) mining to fit with a brattice

Etymology

Origin of brattice

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English brutaske, bretage, bretice, from Anglo-French bretaske, bretage, Anglo-French, Old French bretesche “wooden parapet on a fortress,” from Medieval Latin (9th century) brittisca, apparently a Latinized form of Old English Bryttisc “British” (or a new formation in Medieval Latin ), on the presumption that such parapets were introduced from Britain; see British