machicolate

American  

[muh-chik-uh-layt] / məˈtʃɪk əˌleɪt /

verb (used with object)

machicolated, machicolating

1. to provide with machicolations.

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machicolate British  

/ məˈtʃɪkəʊˌleɪt /

verb

1. (tr) to construct machicolations at the top of (a wall)

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Etymology

Origin of machicolate

First recorded in 1765–75; from Medieval Latin machecoll(um), a Latinization of unattested Middle French machecol literally, “(it) breaks (the) neck” (from the use of such openings to drop projectiles on an ascending attacker; mache, 3rd-person singular present of macher “to beat, break, bruise” (apparently of expressive origin) + col “neck, collar”) + -ate ¹; compare late Middle English machecollyd “machicolated”; see collar

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

machicolated

It is crowned by a machicolated cornice similar to that on the east end of S. Theodosia.

From Byzantine Churches in Constantinople Their History and Architecture by Alexander Van Millingen

A high wall, machicolated at the top, connected this keep with a small octagonal tower, whose twin was placed some distance to the left, leaving an opening between for a wide entrance.

From A Prince of Good Fellows by Robert Barr

The convent was fortified by the Spalatines in 1540, of which fortification the machicolated tower to the left of the church remains.

From The Shores of the Adriatic The Austrian Side, The Küstenlande, Istria, and Dalmatia by F. Hamilton (Frederick Hamilton) Jackson

A new picture followed, less bright but equally clear, the picture of a long, battlemented rampart, marked with a series of round, machicolated towers.

From The Three Eyes by Maurice Leblanc

From machicolated tower, keep, peel and curtain, the nimble Highlanders, torchless, scrambled down, cheering as they came.

From A Prince of Good Fellows by Robert Barr

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