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

Example Sentences

More than six months later, White has complained that Clarke-Smith's former constituency office is still displaying his title as MP, as well as the official portcullis logo of the House of Commons.

From BBC

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

Early on in Covid, the decision was taken to pull up the drawbridge and shutter the portcullis.

From BBC

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

The oil is boiling in the cauldrons and the portcullis has been installed at a ground he aims to turn into “a fortress”.

From The Guardian

Related Words

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