merlon

American  

[mur-luhn] / ˈmɜr lən /

noun

1. (in a battlement) the solid part between two crenels.

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merlon British  

/ ˈmɜːlən /

noun

1. fortifications the solid upright section in a crenellated battlement

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Etymology

Origin of merlon

1695–1705; < French < Italian merlone, augmentative of merlo (in plural, merli battlements) < ?

Explanation

A merlon is a solid, vertical part of the wall of a fort or a battlement. The narrow opening or tiny window in a merlon is called an "embrasure slit." Merlons are always solid, and often they are the upright, pointed sections of a parapet or fortification wall. If there are wide spaces between the merlons, they are called "crenels." You can see merlons on a variety of old forts and castles, as they were commonly used from medieval times on. The Italian root is merlone, from merlo, "battlement," possibly from the Latin mergae, "two-pronged pitchfork."

Example Sentences

Soot stains marked some of the arrow loops, and here and there a crack or a missing merlon could be seen in the curtain wall, but it seemed little enough from this distance.

From "A Clash of Kings" by George R.R. Martin

Holly grabbed for the nearest merlon and fell.

From "A Dance with Dragons" by George R. R. Martin

She grabbed a merlon for support, her fingers scrabbling at the rough stone.

From "A Clash of Kings" by George R.R. Martin

Motionless as a gargoyle, Tyrion Lannister handled on one knee atop a merlon.

From "A Clash of Kings" by George R.R. Martin

The bottom of the embrasure is called the sole, the sides are called cheeks, and the mass of earth between two embrasures, the merlon.

From Elements of Military Art and Science Or, Course Of Instruction In Strategy, Fortification, Tactics Of Battles, &C.; Embracing The Duties Of Staff, Infantry, Cavalry, Artillery, And Engineers; Adapted To The Use Of Volunteers And Militia; Third Edition; With Critical Notes On The Mexican And Crimean Wars. by Halleck, Henry Wager