machicolation Hear it!

machicolation definition

ma·chico·la·tion (mə c̸hik′ə lā′s̸hən)

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

Etymology: < machicolate

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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