PORTCULLIS

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does portcullis mean? 

• PORTCULLIS (noun)
  The noun PORTCULLIS has 1 sense:

1. gate consisting of an iron or wooden grating that hangs in the entry to a castle or fortified town; can be lowered to prevent passage

  Familiarity information: PORTCULLIS used as a noun is very rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• PORTCULLIS (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Gate consisting of an iron or wooden grating that hangs in the entry to a castle or fortified town; can be lowered to prevent passage

Classified under:

Nouns denoting man-made objects

Hypernyms ("portcullis" is a kind of...):

gate (a movable barrier in a fence or wall)

 Context examples 

“Young man,” quoth Sir Nigel, sternly, “if you are of the same way of thought as your brother, you may not pass under portcullis of mine.”

(The White Company, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

Again the hoarse cheering burst out from below, and he heard the clang of the rising portcullis.

(The White Company, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

At the same instant the huge portcullis came rattling down from above, and shut off the last fading light of day.

(The White Company, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

Let us on, then, said Ford, and the whole party, setting their spurs to their horses, soon found themselves at the Castle of Villefranche, where the drawbridge had already been lowered and the portcullis raised in response to the summons of Du Guesclin.

(The White Company, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)