brattice

American  

[brat-is] / ˈbræt ɪs /

noun

1. a partition or lining, as of planks or cloth, forming an air passage in a mine.

2. (in medieval architecture) any temporary wooden fortification, especially at the top of a wall.

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verb (used with object)

bratticed, bratticing

1. to provide with a brattice (often followed byup ).

brattice British  

/ ˈbrætɪs /

noun

1. a partition of wood or treated cloth used to control ventilation in a mine

2. medieval fortifications a fixed wooden tower or parapet

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verb

1. (tr) mining to fit with a brattice

Etymology

Origin of brattice

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English brutaske, bretage, bretice, from Anglo-French bretaske, bretage, Anglo-French, Old French bretesche “wooden parapet on a fortress,” from Medieval Latin (9th century) brittisca, apparently a Latinized form of Old English Bryttisc “British” (or a new formation in Medieval Latin ), on the presumption that such parapets were introduced from Britain; British

Example Sentences

Below the panels is a brattice of Purbeck marble—from this at the angles rise octagonal columns supporting angels, which again support a canopy of elaborate work.

From Bell's Cathedrals: The Abbey Church of Tewkesbury with some Account of the Priory Church of Deerhurst Gloucestershire by Massé, H. J. L. J. (Henri Jean Louis Joseph)

Then I dragged myself on a bit, till I felt some brattice.

From Sir George Tressady — Volume II by Ward, Humphry, Mrs.

There is a little pool by the brattice.

From Sir George Tressady — Volume II by Ward, Humphry, Mrs.

The air passes along one side of the brattice, courses round the free end, and returns on the other side.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 6, Slice 5 "Clervaux" to "Cockade" by Various

But still fall after fall on the further side delayed their progress, and the work of repairing the blown-out stoppings by such wood brattice as could be got at, was long and tedious.

From Sir George Tressady — Volume II by Ward, Humphry, Mrs.