portcullis

A portcullis in Stirling, Scotland

Meanings

Noun

  • A gate in the form of a grating which is lowered into place at the entrance to a castle, fort, etc.
  • An English coin of the reign of Elizabeth I, struck for the use of the East India Company, and bearing the figure of a portcullis on the reverse.

Verb

  • To obstruct with, or as with, a portcullis; to shut; to bar.

Origin

  • From Middle English portcolyse, from Anglo-Norman porte coliz and Old French porte couleice, from porte + feminine of couleis, from couler.

Modern English dictionary

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