Barbican Definition

bärbĭ-kən
noun
A tower or other fortification on the approach to a castle or town, especially one at a gate or drawbridge.
American Heritage
A defensive tower or similar fortification at a gate or bridge leading into a town or castle.
Webster's New World
Wiktionary

A fortress at the end of a bridge.

Wiktionary

An opening in the wall of a fortress through which the guns are levelled; a narrow loophole through which arrows and other missiles may be shot.

Wiktionary
Synonyms:

Other Word Forms of Barbican

Noun

Singular:
barbican
Plural:
barbicans

Origin of Barbican

  • Middle English from Old French barbacane from Medieval Latin barbacana from Persian barbārkhān barbār guard (from Old Iranian parivāraka- protective wer-4 in Indo-European roots) khān house (from Middle Persian)

    From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition

  • From Old French barbacane, of uncertain origin: compare Arabic بربخ (barbakh, “aqueduct, sewer”), and Persian باب‌خانه (bab-khâna, “gatehouse”).

    From Wiktionary

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