portcullis
Americannoun
noun
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; see 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."
Vocabulary lists containing portcullis
Built To Last: Architectural Parlance
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The Lightning Thief
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The Hobbit
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
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
"I saw the crown and the portcullis and thought 'has my preferment come through at last?'," he said.
From BBC ● Sep. 11, 2014
The spears parted to let the king's party pass under the portcullis.
From "A Clash of Kings" by George R.R. Martin
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
