TERMIUM Plus®

The Government of Canada’s terminology and linguistic data bank.

MACHICOULIS [2 records]

Record 1 2010-09-22

English

Subject field(s)
  • Architecture
  • Archaeology
DEF

An opening between the corbels that support a projecting parapet or in the floor of a gallery or the roof of a portal for shooting or dropping missiles upon assailants attacking below.

OBS

machicoulis: plural machicoulis or machicoulises.

French

Domaine(s)
  • Architecture
  • Archéologie
DEF

Chacune des ouvertures de la galerie formant saillie en encorbellement, en haut des tours fortifiées et des remparts du Moyen Âge. Ces ouvertures, pratiquées dans le sol de la galerie, surplombaient directement le pied de la tour ou du rempart. Par les mâchicoulis [...] on jetait sur les assaillants des projectiles, du plomb fondu, de l'huile bouillante.

OBS

Selon certains auteurs, le mot mâchicoulis désignait la galerie elle-même.

Spanish

Campo(s) temático(s)
  • Arquitectura
  • Arqueología
Save record 1

Record 2 1997-11-03

English

Subject field(s)
  • Architecture
  • Archaeology
DEF

An overhanging defensive structure at the top of a medieval fortification, with floor openings through which boiling oil, missiles, etc., could be dropped on attackers.

DEF

A gallery or parapet projecting on brackets and built on the outside of castle towers and walls, with openings in the floor through which to drop molten lead, boiling oil, and missiles.

OBS

machicoulis: plural machicoulis or machicoulises.

French

Domaine(s)
  • Architecture
  • Archéologie
DEF

Galerie ou chemin de ronde en encorbellement au faîte de fortifications; son sol est percé de jours permettant de surveiller le bas des murailles, et d'y déverser divers projectiles.

Spanish

Campo(s) temático(s)
  • Arquitectura
  • Arqueología
DEF

Obra en voladizo en la muralla, sobre una puerta, etc., con parapeto y suelo aspillerado.

Save record 2

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