Definify.com

Webster 1913 Edition

Portcullis

Port-cul′lis

,
Noun.
[OF.
porte coulisse
,
coleïce
, a sliding door, fr. L.
colare
,
colatum
, to filter, to strain: cf. F.
couler
to glide. See
Port
a gate, and cf.
Cullis
,
Colander
.]
1.
(Fort.)
A grating of iron or of timbers pointed with iron, hung over the gateway of a fortress, to be let down to prevent the entrance of an enemy.
“Let the portcullis fall.”
Sir W. Scott.
She . . . the huge
portcullis
high updrew.
Milton.
2.
An English coin of the reign of Elizabeth, struck for the use of the East India Company; – so called from its bearing the figure of a portcullis on the reverse.

Port-cul′lis

,
Verb.
T.
[
imp. & p. p.
Portcullised
;
p. pr. & vb. n.
Portcullising
.]
To obstruct with, or as with, a portcullis; to shut; to bar.
[R.]
Shak.

Webster 1828 Edition

Portcullis

PORTCUL'LIS

,
Noun.
[L. clausus.] In fortification, an assemblage of timbers joined across one another, like those of a harrow, and each pointed with iron; hung over the gateway of a fortified town, to be let down in case of surprise, to prevent the entrance of an enemy.

PORTCUL'LIS

,
Verb.
T.
To shut; to bar; to obstruct.

Definition 2024

portcullis

portcullis

English

Noun

portcullis ‎(plural portcullises)

  1. A gate in the form of a grating which is lowered into place at the entrance to a castle, fort, etc.
  2. (historical) An English coin of the reign of Elizabeth I, struck for the use of the East India Company, and bearing the figure of a portcullis on the reverse.

Translations

Verb

portcullis ‎(third-person singular simple present portcullises, present participle portcullising, simple past and past participle portcullised)

  1. To obstruct with, or as with, a portcullis; to shut; to bar.
    (Can we find and add a quotation of Shakespeare to this entry?)

Etymology

From Anglo-Norman porte coliz and Old French porte couleice, from porte ‎(“door”) + feminine of couleis ‎(“sliding”), from couler ‎(“to flow”).

A portcullis in Stirling, Scotland

Pronunciation

  • (UK) IPA(key): /pɔːtˈkʌlɪs/

Similar Results