battlement

Meaning

1. In fortification: an indented parapet, formed by a series of rising members called cops or merlons, separated by openings called crenelles or embrasures, the soldier sheltering himself behind the merlon while he fires through the embrasure or through a loophole in the battlement.
2. Any high wall for defense.
3. (poetic) The towering roof of heaven.

Synonyms

crenellation

crenelation

rampart

merlon

target

terreplein

add up

let fall

bastion

bunker

Translations

έπαλξη

almenaje

ameia

rempart

Zinnen

Zinne

Mauerzinne

Befestigungsanlage

Festungsmauer

πολεμίστρα

merlatura

kanteel

tinne

baloard

barri

Pronounced as (IPA)

[ˈbætəɫmənt]

Etymology

Inherited from Middle English: batilment

In summary

From Middle English batilment, from Old French bataillement, earlier bastillement (“fortification”), from bastillier (“to fortify, to equip with battlements”), from bastille (“fortress”) (see bastion).