portcullis

American  

[pawrt-kuhl-is, pohrt-] / pɔrtˈkʌl ɪs, poʊrt- /

noun

1. (especially in medieval castles) a strong grating, as of iron, made to slide along vertical grooves at the sides of a gateway of a fortified place and let down to prevent passage.

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portcullis British  

/ pɔːtˈkʌlɪs /

noun

1. an iron or wooden grating suspended vertically in grooves in the gateway of a castle or fortified town and able to be lowered so as to bar the entrance

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Etymology

Origin of portcullis

1300–50; Middle English portecolys < Middle French porte coleice, equivalent to porte port ⁴ + coleice, feminine of coleis flowing, sliding < Vulgar Latin *cōlātīcius; coulee, -itious

Explanation

A portcullis is a heavy castle door or gate made of metal strips that form a grid. A castle guardian might lower the portcullis to protect the people inside from an invading army. It was common during medieval times for castles to be protected by a portcullis or two. They could be raised and lowered as needed, sometimes in such a way that an enemy would be trapped between a first portcullis and a second. Today, you can still see a portcullis if you visit the Tower of London. The Old French root is porte coleice, "sliding gate," which combines coleice, "sliding or flowing," and porte, "gate or door."

Example Sentences

Raise-and-lower drawbridge and portcullis, now with hidden chains and counterweights built right into the set, instead of the exposed strings I had as a kid.

From The Verge • Jun. 18, 2022

It features a moat, waterfall, drawbridge, portcullis, 26 rooms, elevator, 5 fireplaces, 6 new furnaces, secret rooms, hidden doors, hidden passageways, hidden staircase, wine cellar, Tudor style pub, and a few more surprises.”

From Washington Times • Feb. 3, 2022

The castle had been enhanced over the years with a solid portcullis gate protecting the entrance, with heavily-defended battlements, a twenty-one-foot drop below the drawbridge and walls seven feet thick, as well as a moat.

From Salon • Apr. 6, 2019

The portcullis design was replaced in 2008 with part of the royal coat of arms.

From BBC • Feb. 2, 2013

Through the portcullis there came a sorrowful howling to bear out Sir Grummore’s statement, as it had been thirty couple of hounds baying the moon.

From "The Once and Future King" by T. H. White

Related Words

• bar
• door
• doorway
• exit
• fence
• port