barbican

American  

[bahr-bi-kuhn] / ˈbɑr bɪ kən /

noun

1. an outwork of a fortified place, as a castle.

2. a defensive outpost of any sort.

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barbican ¹ British  

/ ˈbɑːbɪkən /

noun

1. a walled outwork or tower to protect a gate or drawbridge of a fortification

2. a watchtower projecting from a fortification

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Barbican ² British  

/ ˈbɑːbɪkən /

noun

1. 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

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Etymology

Origin of barbican

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

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 • Apr. 6, 2019

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

From "The Once and Future King" by T. H. White

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

From "A Clash of Kings" by George R.R. Martin

The shade of the gatehouse was cool, but the barbican, with its close walls, was hottest of all.

From "The Once and Future King" by T. H. White

Elaine arrived at the yawning barbican, and Guenever kissed her coolly.

From "The Once and Future King" by T. H. White