Machicolation (Noun)
Meaning
A projecting parapet supported by corbels on a medieval castle; has openings through which stones or boiling water could be dropped on an enemy.
Classification
Nouns denoting man-made objects.
Examples
- The medieval fortress featured a distinctive machicolation above the gatehouse, creating a sense of foreboding for any invading forces.
- As the enemy army approached, the defenders prepared to rain down heavy stones from the machicolation overhead.
- The castle's machicolation had been designed to funnel intruders into a kill zone, where they would be exposed to a hail of projectiles.
- The researchers were fascinated by the intricate stonework that formed the machicolation of the 14th-century castle's walls.
- Despite being breached, the fortress held strong, thanks in part to the strategically positioned machicolation that allowed for a withering counterattack.