embrasure

[ em-brey-zher ]

noun

1. (in fortification) an opening, as a loophole or crenel, through which missiles may be discharged.
2. Architecture. a splayed enlargement of a door or window toward the inner face of a wall.
3. Dentistry. the space between adjacent teeth.

embrasure

/ ɪmˈbreɪʒə /

noun

1. fortifications an opening or indentation, as in a battlement, for shooting through
2. an opening forming a door or window, having splayed sides that increase the width of the opening in the interior

Derived Forms

• emˈbrasured, adjective

Other Words From

• em·brasured adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of embrasure¹

1695–1705; < French, equivalent to embras ( er ) to enlarge a window or door opening, make an embrasure (apparently the same v. as embraser to set on fire ( embrace ² ), though sense shift unclear) + -ure -ure

Word History and Origins

Origin of embrasure¹

C18: from French, from obsolete embraser to widen, of uncertain origin

Example Sentences

Chess, by and large, is a war game played by nonmartial people who would have trouble identifying the business end of an M16 or explaining the difference between an embrasure and a sally port.

From Washington Times

I leaned back in the embrasure in a more comfortable position, so that I could enjoy more fully the aërial gambolling.

From Literature

Outside the house came the sound of a pistol-shot; the glass of the window was shattered with a bullet, which, ricochetting from the top of the embrasure, struck the far wall of the room.

From Literature

Robin’s bedchamber was off the main hall or living room of the house, in an embrasure of the thick wall.

From Literature

They put all into a wicker basket and climbed back into the sun; and Beregond brought Pippin to a place at the east end of the great out-thrust battlement where there was an embrasure in the walls with a stone seat beneath the sill.

From Literature

Related Words

• incision
• indentation