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machicolation
(mə c̸hik′ə lā′s̸hən)
noun
- 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 defenders of a fortress
- a gallery, parapet, etc. with such openings
Origin: < machicolate
See machicolation in American Heritage Dictionary 4
noun
- a. A projecting gallery at the top of a castle wall, supported by a row of corbeled arches and having openings in the floor through which stones and boiling liquids could be dropped on attackers.b. One of these openings.
- A row of small corbeled arches used as an ornamental architectural feature.
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