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Glite Dictionary
barbacan

barbacan

9.9
A tower built outside a castle gate to protect the entrance
  • noun
  • /ˈbɑrbəˌkæn/
  • Specialized
translation icon : barbacana
  • Many medieval fortifications featured a barbacan to guard their main entrances.

Examples

  • The old castle's barbacan overlooked the surrounding moat, providing an additional line of defense.

  • Archaeologists uncovered the remains of a ruined barbacan near the fortress gate.

  • The castle's barbacan provided an extra layer of defense.

  • Many ancient fortifications included a barbacan at their gates.

  • Archaeologists uncovered the remains of a ruined barbacan near the fortress gate.

  • Many medieval fortifications featured a barbacan to guard their main entrances.

  • The old castle's barbacan overlooked the surrounding moat, providing an additional line of defense.

Synonyms

turret
vsbarbacan
12 7.2

A small tower on the corner of a building used for looking out

is positioned at a gate or entrance rather than on a wall corner
fortification
vsbarbacan
9 6.6

A wall or earth mound built to protect a place from attack

is a specific outwork tower usually located at a gate or entrance
barbican
vsbarbacan
1 9.9

A strong tower outside a castle that defends the gate

is placed specifically at a gate or entrance rather than elsewhere

How Fortified

keep
8 8.6
tower
547 1.0
barbacan
  • Specialized
9.9
gatehouse
4 6.2
gate
793 1.0

Surface Forms

barbacan singular
barbacans plural

Etymology

Barbacan comes from the old French barbacane and was used for a small fortified tower by a gate. A helpful way to remember it is to think of a 'bar' protecting a 'gate', because a barbacan is an extra defensive work that guards an entrance.