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ONADmachicolation

machicolation

Flag: gbEnglishOxford New American Dictionary

machicolation /məˌCHikəˈlāSHən, məˌtʃɪkəˈleɪʃən /
noun (in medieval fortifications) an opening between the supporting corbels of a projecting parapet or the vault of a gate, through which stones or burning objects could be dropped on attackers.
a projecting structure containing a series of machicolations.
– ORIGIN late 18th century : from Anglo-Latin machicollare (see machicolated) + -ation.