barbican

[ bahr-bi-kuhn ]

noun

1. an outwork of a fortified place, as a castle.
2. a defensive outpost of any sort.

barbican

¹

/ ˈbɑːbɪkən /

noun

1. a walled outwork or tower to protect a gate or drawbridge of a fortification
2. a watchtower projecting from a fortification

Barbican

²

/ ˈbɑːbɪkən /

noun

1. the Barbican
   a building complex in the City of London: includes residential developments and the Barbican Arts Centre (completed 1982) housing concert and exhibition halls, theatres, cinemas, etc

Word History and Origins

Origin of barbican¹

1250–1300; Middle English barbecan, barbican < Old French barbacane or Medieval Latin barbacana, perhaps ≪ Persian bālāḥāna terrace over a roof, upper floor, altered by association with Latin barba beard, a beard marking the front or face of a thing

Word History and Origins

Origin of barbican¹

C13: from Old French barbacane , from Medieval Latin barbacana , of unknown origin

Example Sentences

If the barbican fell, the castle still had two courtyards, or baileys, from which last gasp fighting could be carried out.

From Salon

The stone part of the drawbridge with its barbican and the bartizans of the gatehouse are in good repair.

From Literature

And suddenly the madness was behind and they were clattering across the cobbled square that fronted on the castle barbican.

From Literature

A good friend, sir, to a man in danger, may stand like a barbican, as it were, before a fortress, encountering the first attack of the enemy.

From Project Gutenberg

Soon in his saddle sate he fast, And soon the steep descent he past, Soon crossed the sounding barbican, And soon the Teviot side he won.

From Project Gutenberg