drawbridge

American  

[draw-brij] / ˈdrɔˌbrɪdʒ /

noun

1. a bridge of which the whole or a section may be drawn up, let down, or drawn aside, to prevent access or to leave a passage open for boats, barges, etc.

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drawbridge British  

/ ˈdrɔːˌbrɪdʒ /

noun

1. a bridge that may be raised to prevent access or to enable vessels to pass

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Etymology

Origin of drawbridge

First recorded in 1300–50, drawbridge is from the Middle English word drawebrigge. See draw, bridge ¹

Explanation

In olden times, if you lived in a castle, you might have a drawbridge that could be raised and lowered depending on whether or not you wanted to let people cross your moat. A drawbridge gets its name from the fact that it could be "drawn up," or raised, to keep intruders or unwanted visitors away from a tower or castle. The typical medieval drawbridge spanned a deep, wide moat (a trench filled with water). This moveable wooden bridge was usually attached to a guarded gatehouse and could be raised and lowered fairly easily with ropes or chains.