Meaning of "machicolation" in English

"Machicolation" refers to an architectural feature commonly found in medieval fortifications. It consists of a projecting parapet or gallery at the top of a castle wall, with openings in the floor for dropping stones, hot oil, or other defensive materials onto attackers below. This design allowed defenders to repel assaults without being directly exposed to enemy fire. Machicolations were crucial in medieval military architecture, serving as a strategic element for safeguarding castles and fortresses against sieges.

Meaning of "mâchicoulis" in French

In French, "mâchicoulis" describes the same architectural feature as "machicolation." It refers to a series of corbeled openings in the parapet of a fortification, allowing defenders to drop projectiles or boiling substances onto invaders. This defensive mechanism played a vital role in medieval fortresses, offering a tactical advantage in warding off assaults. As a key component of fortified structures, mâchicoulis were integral to the architectural design and defense strategies of castles during that era.

Pronunciation of "machicolation" in English

Phonetic Transcription: /ˌmæˌʃɪˈkəʊleɪʃən/

Pronunciation Variations: While the standard pronunciation is widely recognized, regional accents may slightly alter the stress or vowel sounds, particularly in areas with different English dialects.

Pronunciation of "mâchicoulis" in French

Phonetic Transcription: /maʃikulɪ/

Pronunciation Variations: The pronunciation of "mâchicoulis" is relatively consistent across French-speaking regions, though minor variations in intonation or emphasis may occur in different dialects.

Sentence examples in English and translation to French

  1. The castle's machicolation allowed defenders to easily repulse attackers. - (Les mâchicoulis du château permettaient aux défenseurs de repousser facilement les assaillants.)

  2. Medieval architects designed intricate machicolation systems for better defense. - (Les architectes médiévaux concevaient des systèmes de mâchicoulis complexes pour une meilleure défense.)

  3. Through the machicolation, boiling oil was poured on the invaders. - (Par les mâchicoulis, de l'huile bouillante était versée sur les envahisseurs.)

  4. Machicolations were a common feature in European castles. - (Les mâchicoulis étaient une caractéristique commune dans les châteaux européens.)

  5. The use of machicolation was crucial in thwarting sieges. - (L'utilisation des mâchicoulis était cruciale pour déjouer les sièges.)

  6. The fortress was equipped with robust machicolation for protection. - (La forteresse était équipée de mâchicoulis robustes pour la protection.)

  7. Soldiers were trained to use the machicolation effectively. - (Les soldats étaient formés à utiliser les mâchicoulis efficacement.)

  8. The design of machicolation evolved during the Middle Ages. - (La conception des mâchicoulis a évolué au cours du Moyen Âge.)

  9. Historians study machicolation to understand medieval warfare tactics. - (Les historiens étudient les mâchicoulis pour comprendre les tactiques de guerre médiévales.)

  10. The ancient tower still retained its original machicolation. - (La tour ancienne a conservé ses mâchicoulis d'origine.)

Synonyms, antonyms, and similar words for "machicolation" in English

Synonyms: battlement, parapet, crenellation, barbican, turret.

Antonyms: -

Similar Words: fortification, defense, stronghold, bulwark, citadel.

Synonyms, antonyms, and similar words for "mâchicoulis" in French

Synonyms: créneau, parapet, galerie, échauguette, tour.

Antonyms: -

Similar Words: fortification, défense, bastion, rempart, citadelle.

Disclaimer: These examples may contain sensitive content that does not reflect the opinions or policies of Translate.com, or its company Translate LLC. We welcome feedback: report an example sentence to our team.

Need something translated quickly? Easily translate any text into your desired language in an instant!
Start translating

Translate machicolation into other languages