machicolation

(mə c̸hik′ə lās̸hən)

noun

  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 defenders of a fortress
  2. a gallery, parapet, etc. with such openings

Origin: < machicolate

See machicolation in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun
  1. 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.
  2. A row of small corbeled arches used as an ornamental architectural feature.

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machicolation

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