machicolate

• Verbe désuet signifiant munir de mâchicoulis (galeries ou ouvertures en encorbellement dans les fortifications médiévales pour laisser tomber des pierres ou de l'huile bouillante sur les assaillants).

An obsolete verb meaning to furnish with machicolations (projecting galleries or openings in medieval fortifications for dropping stones or boiling oil).

1. To add projecting galleries for defenseC2formal

   To supply a fortification or building with machicolations—projecting galleries supported by corbels, used for defensive purposes through openings in the floor.

   munir de mâchicoulis

   • The castle's outer walls were machicolated to provide cover for archers.
   • During the siege, the defenders machicolated the battlements to drop stones on attackers.
   • The architect machicolated the tower to replicate a medieval style.
   • Many Romanesque churches were later machicolated for added protection.