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

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

From Project Gutenberg

I turned with a gasp of excitement and satisfaction: yes, the embrasure of the wall was deep enough; what a wall it was!

From Project Gutenberg

The bank was a parapet, behind which the gunboats crouched, firing up the bayou as through an embrasure.

From Project Gutenberg

The men who work these guns now do not need to see the enemy, even through the porthole or the embrasure.

From Project Gutenberg

The day before yesterday he saw the smoke from an embrasure on his left and heard a shell coming, but did not see it.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• incision
• indentation