machicolation

/,mætʃikou'leiʃn/ Cách viết khác : (machicoulis) /,mɑ:ʃi'ku:li/

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Word: Machicolation

Part of Speech: Noun

Definition: Machicolation is a feature found in medieval castles. It refers to a part of the castle wall that sticks out (or projects) and is supported by brackets (called corbels). This section has openings or holes through which defenders could drop things like stones or boiling water on attackers below.

Usage Instructions:

When using the word "machicolation," it is often in the context of discussing architecture, especially in relation to castles or fortifications from the Middle Ages. It’s a specific term, so it's not commonly used in everyday conversation.

Example Sentence:

"The ancient castle had several machicolations, allowing the guards to defend against invaders by dropping rocks from above."

Advanced Usage:

In historical discussions or architectural studies, you might encounter "machicolation" when describing the defensive features of castles. You could say, "The machicolation system of the fortress was a crucial innovation in medieval military architecture."

Word Variants:

• Machicolated (adjective): Describing a structure that has machicolations.
  • Example: "The machicolated walls of the castle were impressive."
• Machicolate (verb): To provide a building with machicolations.
  • Example: "The architects decided to machicolate the new castle design for better defense."

Different Meanings:

While "machicolation" primarily refers to the architectural feature, it does not have widely recognized alternative meanings in modern English.

Synonyms:

• Battlement (though this is a broader term that includes the entire defensive structure, not just the projecting part)
• Corbel (referring to the support structure, though this is not a direct synonym)

Idioms and Phrasal Verbs:

There are no common idioms or phrasal verbs that include the word "machicolation." It's a specialized term mainly used in historical contexts.

Summary:

In summary, "machicolation" is an architectural term that describes a defensive feature of medieval castles.

Academic

Noun

1. a projecting parapet supported by corbels on a medieval castle; has openings through which stones or boiling water could be dropped on an enemy