crenel

American  

[kren-l] / ˈkrɛn l /

Also crenelle

noun

1. any of the open spaces between the merlons of a battlement.

2. a crenature.

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verb (used with object)

creneled, creneling, crenelled, crenelling

1. to crenelate.

crenel British  

/ ˈkrɛnəl, krɪˈnɛl /

noun

1. any of a set of openings formed in the top of a wall or parapet and having slanting sides, as in a battlement

2. another name for crenation

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Etymology

Origin of crenel

1475–85; earlier creneul, crennel < Middle French, Old French, apparently diminutive of cren notch (attested since the 15th century), Old French cran, of uncertain origin; cf. crenate, cranny

Related Words

• incision
• indentation