crenellation

Meaning

1. (countable, uncountable) A pattern along the top of a parapet (fortified wall), most often in the form of multiple, regular, rectangular spaces in the top of the wall, through which arrows or other weaponry may be shot, especially as used in medieval European architecture.
2. (uncountable) The act of crenellating; adding a top row that looks like the top of a medieval castle.
3. (countable) Any of a series of notches with fancied resemblance to such battlements, as for example around the bezel of a flashlight.

Synonyms

crenelation

battlement

merlon

embattlement

castellation

Translations

merlatura

ameia

almenaje

Zinne

merlet

crestería

créneau

créneaux

kantelen

Pronounced as (IPA)

/ˌkɹɛnəlˈeɪʃən/

Etymology

Cognate with French: créneau

Cognate with Old French: cren

In summary

From crenellate + -ion (suffix indicating an action or process, or its result). Crenellate is derived from French créneler (“to form the shape of a crenel, crenellate”), from Old French crenel (“crenel, embrasure”) (modern French créneau) (from Latin *crēnella, diminutive of crēna (“incision; notch”); compare Old French cren (“a notch”)) + -er (suffix forming infinitives of first conjugation verbs).