machicolate

[ muh-chik-uh-leyt ]

verb (used with object)

, ma·chic·o·lat·ed, ma·chic·o·lat·ing.

1. to provide with machicolations.

machicolate

/ məˈtʃɪkəʊˌleɪt /

verb

1. tr to construct machicolations at the top of (a wall)

Word History and Origins

Origin of machicolate¹

First recorded in 1765–75; from Medieval Latin machecoll(um), a Latinization of unattested Middle French machecol literally, “(it) breaks (the) neck” (from the use of such openings to drop projectiles on an ascending attacker; mache, 3rd-person singular present of macher “to beat, break, bruise” (apparently of expressive origin) + col “neck, collar”) + -ate ¹; compare late Middle English machecollyd “machicolated”; collar

Word History and Origins

Origin of machicolate¹

C18: from Old French machicoller, ultimately from Provençal machacol, from macar to crush + col neck

Example Sentences

The Ville Close, surrounded by ramparts and entered by a massive gateway flanked by machicolated towers, consists of narrow quiet streets bordered by houses of the 16th and 17th centuries.

From Project Gutenberg

Our camp was pitched on a grassy flat just below the village of Chushar Nango with its fine old ruined tower of stone with machicolated galleries all round it.

From Project Gutenberg

They had been content to live and quietly to propagate their species in a huge machicolated Norman castle, surrounded by a triple moat, only sallying forth to cultivate their property and to collect their rents.

From Project Gutenberg

This palace was distinguished by a feature not very common in the architecture of Roman edifices; that is to say, a medi�val tower, square, massive, lofty, and battlemented and machicolated at the summit.

From Project Gutenberg

Of the stronghold little remains save the machicolated gate-way, flanked with ponderous round towers bearing quaint inscriptions.

From Project Gutenberg