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Glite Dictionary
to machicolate

to machicolate

1 9.9
To add a platform that sticks out from a wall with holes to drop things on attackers below
  • verb
  • /ˈmækɪkəˌleɪt/
  • Archaic
: machicolar
  • Medieval architects often machicolated castle walls as a protective measure.

Examples

  • The fortress was machicolated to improve its defenses against invaders.

  • They planned to machicolate the northern tower during the restoration project.

  • The castle was machicolated for better defense.

  • They plan to machicolate the new fortress next year.

  • Medieval architects often machicolated castle walls to allow defenders to drop objects on attackers.

  • The fortress was machicolated to create openings for defenders during enemy assaults.

  • They planned to machicolate the northern tower to enhance its defense capabilities.

Synonyms

to crenellate
vsto machicolate
  • Specialized
1 9.9

To add gaps and raised parts to a wall so soldiers can defend it from above

adds projecting galleries with openings to drop objects on attackers below
to crenel
vsto machicolate
  • Specialized
9.9

To make the top of a wall have raised parts and openings for defense

adds overhanging passages with holes to let defenders drop things down

Surface Forms

machicolate infinitive
machicolated past
machicolated past participle
machicolating present participle
machicolates third person singular

Morphology

machicolate = machicolation (opaque) = machicolation + ate

The verb is formed regularly from the noun by the productive English suffix '-ate' meaning 'to provide with' or 'to make', so the morphological operation is regular.

Etymology

The word machicolate comes from the old word machicolation for the small balcony in a castle wall with holes to drop stones or boiling water on attackers. So to machicolate a building is to add those defensive openings that let defenders 'drop' things on people below.