Barbican

Barbican
Barbican Bar"bi*can, Barbacan Bar"ba*can, n. [OE. barbican, barbecan, F. barbacane, LL. barbacana, barbicana, of uncertain origin: cf. Ar. barbakh aqueduct, sewer. F. barbacane also means, an opening to let out water, loophole.] 1. (Fort.) A tower or advanced work defending the entrance to a castle or city, as at a gate or bridge. It was often large and strong, having a ditch and drawbridge of its own. [1913 Webster]

2. An opening in the wall of a fortress, through which missiles were discharged upon an enemy. [1913 Webster]


The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.

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  • Barbican — steht für Barbican (Plymouth), Hafengebiet, Ortslage in Plymouth, England Bahnhof Barbican, eine Station von London Underground Barbican Centre, ein Londoner Kulturzentrum Barbican Estate, Hochhaussiedlung um das Barbican Centre in London… …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • Barbican — the Barbican also the Barbican Centre a large group of buildings in central London, which includes two theatres, two cinemas, a concert hall, an ↑art gallery, restaurants, and shops ▪ There s a new Royal Shakespeare Company production of A… …   Dictionary of contemporary English

  • Barbĭcan — Barbĭcan, Vogel, s.u. Bartvogel …   Pierer's Universal-Lexikon

  • barbican — ● barbican nom masculin (de barbu et toucan) Oiseau (capitonidé) voisin du pic, au bec denté portant de fortes vibrisses à la base …   Encyclopédie Universelle

  • barbican — outer fortification of a city or castle, mid 13c., from O.Fr. barbacane (12c.), a general Romanic word, perhaps ultimately from Arabic or Persian (Cf. bab khanah gate house ) …   Etymology dictionary

  • barbican — ► NOUN ▪ a double tower above a gate or drawbridge of a castle or fortified city. ORIGIN Old French barbacane …   English terms dictionary

  • barbican — [bär′bi kən] n. [ME < OFr barbacane < ML barbacana, < ?] a defensive tower or similar fortification at a gate or bridge leading into a town or castle …   English World dictionary

  • Barbican — Nom vernaculaire ou nom normalisé ambigu : Le terme « Barbican » s applique en français à plusieurs taxons distincts. Barbican …   Wikipédia en Français

  • Barbican — A barbican (from medieval Latin barbecana , outer fortification of a city or castle, a general Romanic word, perhaps from Arabic or Persian cf. bab khanah gate house and towered gateway [ [http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?l=b p=2 Barbican EOL] …   Wikipedia

  • barbican — /bahr bi keuhn/, n. 1. an outwork of a fortified place, as a castle. 2. a defensive outpost of any sort. Also, barbacan. [1250 1300; ME barbecan, barbican < OF barbacane or ML barbacana, perh. Pers balahana terrace over a roof, upper floor,… …   Universalium

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