Dictionary 1. (n.) An opening between the corbels which support a projecting parapet, or in the floor of a gallery or the roof of a portal, shooting or dropping missiles upon assailants attacking the base of the walls. Also, the construction of such defenses, in general, when of this character. See Castle.2. (n.) The act of discharging missiles or pouring burning or melted substances upon assailants through such apertures. Thesaurus advanced work balistraria bank banquette barbed-wire entanglement barbican barricade barrier bartizan bastion battlement breastwork bulwark casemate cheval-de-frise circumvallation contravallation counterscarp curtain demibastion dike drawbridge earthwork enclosure entanglement escarp escarpment fence fieldwork fortalice fortification glacis loophole lunette machicolation mantelet merlon mound outwork palisade parados parapet portcullis postern gate rampart ravelin redan redoubt sally port scarp sconce stockade tenaille vallation vallum work |