portcullis

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.