English Explanatory Dictionary

portcullis

English dictionary entry

Meanings

noun
  1. A gate in the form of a grating which is lowered into place at the gateway of a castle, a fort, etc.
  2. An old English coin from the reign of Elizabeth I, minted for the use of the East India Company, and bearing the picture of a portcullis on the reverse.
verb
  1. To obstruct with, or as with, a portcullis; to shut; to bar.

Pronunciation

/pɔːtˈkʌl.ɪs/ LL-Q1860 (eng)-Vealhurl-portcullis.wav /pɔɹtˈkʌl.ɪs/

Word forms

portcullis portcullises portcullisses portculli portscullis percullice portclose portculleis portculles port cullis port-cullis portcluse portculis portecullis porte-cullis portcullising portcullissing portcullised portcullissed

Etymology

From Middle English portcolyse, from Old French porte colëice, from porte (“door”) + feminine of colëiz (“sliding”), ultimately from Latin colāre.

Synonyms

cataract

Related words

barbican
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