portcullis

[ pawrt-kuhl-is, pohrt- ]

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.

portcullis

/ 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

Word History and Origins

Origin of portcullis¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of portcullis¹

C14 port colice, from Old French porte coleïce sliding gate, from porte door, entrance + coleïce, from couler to slide, flow, from Late Latin cōlāre to filter

Example Sentences

The drawbridge is raised and the portcullis closed, so that a thieving Redskin would find it a hard matter to make his way in.

From Project Gutenberg

They suddenly let down the portcullis, which they had raised somewhat by pulleys, and thus closed up the gateway.

From Project Gutenberg

The passage is vaulted, and has massive doors of oak studded with iron; formerly there was also a portcullis.

From Project Gutenberg

The portcullis was suddenly dropped; Copeland, mistaken for his master, remained a prisoner.

From Project Gutenberg

The hair rose on Claude's head, but he set his teeth; though the man died, though he died, the portcullis must fall!

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

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