machicolation Definition
a floor opening between the supporting corbels of a battlement, through which stones or boiling water could be dropped on attackers.
Using machicolation: Examples
Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "machicolation" can be used in various situations through the following examples!
Example
The castle's machicolations were used to repel invaders.
Example
The defenders poured boiling oil through the machicolation onto the attackers below.
machicolation Synonyms and Antonyms
Synonyms for machicolation
Phrases with machicolation
a projecting structure at the top of a wall with openings for dropping missiles or boiling liquids on attackers
Example
The soldiers stood behind the machicolated parapet, ready to defend the castle.
a tower with machicolations, used for defense in medieval times
Example
The machicolated tower was an important part of the castle's defense system.
a battlement with machicolations, used for defense in medieval times
Example
The machicolated battlement was designed to protect the castle from attackers.
Origins of machicolation
from Old French 'machicoller', meaning 'to cut through'
Summary: machicolation in Brief
'Machicolation' [ˌmætʃɪkəˈleɪʃən] refers to a floor opening between the corbels of a battlement, used for dropping stones or boiling water on attackers. It was a common feature in medieval castles and fortifications. Examples include 'The castle's machicolations were used to repel invaders.' and 'The defenders poured boiling oil through the machicolation onto the attackers below.'
