portcullis

noun (a portcullis, portcullises)

«portcullis» in the English dictionary: everyday — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

Everyday

A heavy grid of iron or wooden bars that slides down in grooves to close a castle gateway. tree →

In the lessons

In history lessons on medieval castles: the portcullis was dropped to stop attackers, with «murder holes» above the gateway. The portcullis is also a symbol of the UK Parliament. Used in adventure stories and games.

Examples

The guards lowered the portcullis to keep out the enemy. tree →
The portcullis crashed down just behind the knight. tree →
We saw the old portcullis at the castle. tree →
The portcullis was raised with chains and a winch. tree →
A portcullis appears on the badge of Parliament. tree →
Arrows flew through the bars of the portcullis. tree →

Note

Pronounced port-CULL-is. Plural: portcullises. From old French for «sliding door».

On Mova

Trees and pragmatics of «portcullis» in the school dictionary: every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
«portcullis» in the school dictionary on Mova free.

This page in Markdown → https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/portcullis/