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machicolation
(redirected from Machicolations)

   Also found in: Encyclopedia, Wikipedia 0.01 sec.
ma·chic·o·la·tion  (m-chk-lshn)
n.
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

machicolation [məˌtʃɪkəʊˈleɪʃən]
n
1. (Military / Fortifications) (esp in medieval castles) a projecting gallery or parapet supported on corbels having openings through which missiles could be dropped
2. any such opening
ThesaurusLegend:  Synonyms Related Words Antonyms
Noun1.machicolation - a projecting parapet supported by corbels on a medieval castlemachicolation - a projecting parapet supported by corbels on a medieval castle; has openings through which stones or boiling water could be dropped on an enemy
breastwork, parapet - fortification consisting of a low wall


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Building activities followed a design prototype of a series of fortified structures one above the other, providing successive lines of retreat, and protected by curtain walls with battlements, bastions, and a number of gates with machicolations on the main access route.
With its huge, menacing tower, watchbox, and multiple tiers of battlements (replete with arrow loops and machicolations concentrated over entrances), the building is fiercely defensive in look and capability, and it could as easily -- perhaps more easily -- be called a fortress.
Instead, new openings allow views over the Normandy landscape and metal grilles between the machicolations give vertiginous glimpses of the ground some 35m below.
 
 
 
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