barbette (redirected from barbettes)

bar·bette  (bär-bt)

n.

1. A platform or mound of earth within a fort from which guns are fired over the parapet.

2. An armored protective cylinder around a revolving gun turret on a warship.

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[French, diminutive of barbe, beard; see barb¹.]

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barbette [bɑːˈbɛt]

n

1. (Military / Fortifications) (formerly) an earthen platform inside a parapet, from which heavy guns could fire over the top

2. (Military) an armoured cylinder below a turret on a warship that protects the revolving structure and foundation of the turret

[from French, diminutive of barbe a nun's barb¹, from a fancied similarity between the earthwork around a cannon and this part of a nun's habit]

Thesaurus

Noun

1.

barbette - (formerly) a mound of earth inside a fort from which heavy gun can be fired over the parapet hill, mound - structure consisting of an artificial heap or bank usually of earth or stones; "they built small mounds to hide behind"