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portcullis
portcullis , grating or framework of strong bars of wood or iron, sharp-pointed at their lower ends, sliding vertically in the grooved jambs of a fortified portal as a protection in case of assault. First used in Roman times against Hannibal, the portcullis reached its highest development in the 12th cent. as a characteristic feature of the defensive system of a castle or fortified town. It could be dropped suddenly in a surprise attack. Through its grating the defenders could keep up a fire of arrows and other missiles. In the 14th cent., with the development of gunpowder, its tactical value was reduced. |
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"portcullis." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2008. Encyclopedia.com. 12 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "portcullis." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2008. Encyclopedia.com. (February 12, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1E1-portcull.html "portcullis." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2008. Retrieved February 12, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1E1-portcull.html |
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portcullis
portcullis. Strong door in a fortified medieval gateway, sliding vertically, normally a grating heavily framed of wood strengthened with iron, with pointed iron bars at the bottom. Usually kept in the raised position, it could be dropped suddenly when required for reasons of defence. See also yett.
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JAMES STEVENS CURL. "portcullis." A Dictionary of Architecture and Landscape Architecture. 2000. Encyclopedia.com. 12 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. JAMES STEVENS CURL. "portcullis." A Dictionary of Architecture and Landscape Architecture. 2000. Encyclopedia.com. (February 12, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O1-portcullis.html JAMES STEVENS CURL. "portcullis." A Dictionary of Architecture and Landscape Architecture. 2000. Retrieved February 12, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O1-portcullis.html |
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portcullis
portcullis XIV. ME. port colice, -coles, -(e)cules, porcules — OF. porte coleïce, i.e. porte door (PORT2), col(e)ïce, coulice, fem. of couleïs gliding. sliding:- Rom. *cōlātīcius, f. L. cōlāre, -āt- filter.
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T. F. HOAD. "portcullis." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Encyclopedia.com. 12 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. T. F. HOAD. "portcullis." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Encyclopedia.com. (February 12, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O27-portcullis.html T. F. HOAD. "portcullis." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Retrieved February 12, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O27-portcullis.html |
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portcullis
port·cul·lis
/ pôrtˈkələs/
•
n.
a strong, heavy grating sliding up and down in vertical grooves, lowered to block a gateway to a fortress or town.
DERIVATIVES:
port·cul·lised adj.
portcullis |
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Cite this article
"portcullis." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Encyclopedia.com. 12 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "portcullis." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Encyclopedia.com. (February 12, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O999-portcullis.html "portcullis." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Retrieved February 12, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O999-portcullis.html |
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portcullis
portcullis •Alice, chalice, challis, malice, palace, Tallis
•aurora australis
•Ellis, trellis
•necklace
•aurora borealis, Baylis, digitalis, Fidelis, rayless
•ageless • aimless • keyless
•amaryllis, cilice, Dilys, fillis, Phyllis
•ribless • lidless • rimless
•kinless, sinless, winless
•lipless • witless • annus mirabilis
•annus horribilis • syphilis
•eyeless, skyless, tieless
•polis, solace, Wallace
•joyless
•Dulles, portcullis
•accomplice
•Annapolis, Indianapolis, Minneapolis
•Persepolis
•acropolis, cosmopolis, Heliopolis, megalopolis, metropolis, necropolis
•chrysalis • surplice • amice • premise
•airmiss • Amis • in extremis • Artemis
•promise
•pomace, pumice
•Salamis
•dermis, epidermis, kermis
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Cite this article
"portcullis." Oxford Dictionary of Rhymes. 2007. Encyclopedia.com. 12 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "portcullis." Oxford Dictionary of Rhymes. 2007. Encyclopedia.com. (February 12, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O233-portcullis.html "portcullis." Oxford Dictionary of Rhymes. 2007. Retrieved February 12, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O233-portcullis.html |
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