machicolation — [mə chik΄ə lā′shən] n. [< MACHICOLATE] 1. an opening in the floor of a projecting gallery or parapet, between the supports or corbels, or in the roof over an entrance, through which hot liquids, heavy stones, etc. could be dropped by the… … English World dictionary
Machicolation — A machicolation is a floor opening between the supporting corbels of a battlement, through which stones and lethally hot liquids and substances could be dropped on attackers at the base of a defensive wall. The design was developed in the Middle… … Wikipedia
machicolation — noun Etymology: Medieval Latin machicolare to furnish with machicolations, from Middle French machicoller, from machicoleis machicolation, from macher to crush + col neck, from Latin collum more at collar Date: 1787 1. a. an opening between the… … New Collegiate Dictionary
machicolation — /meuh chik euh lay sheuhn/, n. Archit. 1. an opening in the floor between the corbels of a projecting gallery or parapet, as on a wall or in the vault of a passage, through which missiles, molten lead, etc., might be cast upon an enemy beneath. 2 … Universalium
machicolation — noun a) An opening between the corbels which support a projecting parapet, or in the floor of a gallery or the roof of a portal, shooting or dropping missiles upon assailants attacking the base of the walls. Also, the … Wiktionary
Machicolation — An opening between the corbels which support a projecting parapet, or in the vault of a portal, through which molten lead, hot oil, stones, etc. could be dropped on attackers below. This is an 18c word formed from Machecole … Dictionary of Medieval Terms and Phrases
machicolation — Gallery at the top of a castle tower … Bryson’s dictionary for writers and editors
machicolation — mÉ™ tʃɪkÉ™leɪʃn n. opening in a projecting parapet or in the floor of a gallery or roof through which missiles could be dropped on attackers … English contemporary dictionary
machicolation — In the architecture of castles, an opening in the floor of an overhanging gallery through which defenders dropped stones and boiling liquids on attackers. (pr. muh chi keh lay shun) … Glossary of Art Terms
machicolation — noun (in medieval fortifications) an opening between the supporting corbels of a projecting structure, through which stones or burning objects could be dropped on attackers. ↘a projecting structure containing machicolations … English new terms dictionary
