machicolation

American  

[muh-chik-uh-ley-shuhn] / məˌtʃɪk əˈleɪ ʃən /

noun

Architecture.

1. an opening in the floor between the corbels of a projecting gallery or parapet, as on a wall or in the vault of a passage, through which missiles, molten lead, etc., might be cast upon an enemy beneath.

2. a projecting gallery or parapet with such openings.

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machicolation British  

/ məˌtʃɪkəʊˈleɪʃən /

noun

1. (esp in medieval castles) a projecting gallery or parapet supported on corbels having openings through which missiles could be dropped

2. any such opening

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Etymology

Origin of machicolation

First recorded in 1780–90; machicolate + -ion

Example Sentences

The transport sphere plowed along the trench, past all the fortified city’s defenses: walls, moats, machicolations, crossbow cannons, drawbridges, bristling spear pits, bladed gates, and giant mechanical grinders.

From Literature

Arthur, who had been playing with a loose stone which he had dislodged from one of the machicolations, got tired of thinking and leaned over with the stone in his hand.

From Literature

Old habitations, commodious modern houses, frowning machicolations, church spires, grand hotels, innumerable caf�s, and much military, all combine in a blend of fascinating interest that one usually finds only in a great metropolis.

From Project Gutenberg

A few feet farther on was a portcullis, and then a second, the space between protected by loopholes and machicolations. 

From Project Gutenberg

So also is the masonry protection of the machicolation at the top of the donjon, a protection which at that time was usually given by wooden hoardings.

From Project Gutenberg