portcullis

views updated May 14 2018

port·cul·lis / pôrtˈkələs/ • n. a strong, heavy grating sliding up and down in vertical grooves, lowered to block a gateway to a fortress or town.DERIVATIVES: port·cul·lised adj.

portcullis

The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English

portcullis

views updated May 29 2018

portcullis. Strong door in a fortified medieval gateway, sliding vertically, normally a grating heavily framed of wood strengthened with iron, with pointed iron bars at the bottom. Usually kept in the raised position, it could be dropped suddenly when required for reasons of defence. See also yett.

A Dictionary of Architecture and Landscape Architecture JAMES STEVENS CURL

portcullis

views updated Jun 27 2018

portcullis XIV. ME. port colice, -coles, -(e)cules, porcules — OF. porte coleïce, i.e. porte door (PORT2), col(e)ïce, coulice, fem. of couleïs gliding. sliding:- Rom. *cōlātīcius, f. L. cōlāre, -āt- filter.

The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology T. F. HOAD

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