portcullis

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Pronunciation

• (British) IPA: /pɔːtˈkʌlɪs/

Noun

portcullis (plural portcullises)

1. A gate in the form of a grating which is lowered into place at the entrance to a castle, fort, etc.
2. (historical) An English coin of the reign of Elizabeth I, struck for the use of the East India Company, and bearing the figure of a portcullis on the reverse.

Translations

• French: herse
• German: Fallgatter
• Italian: inferriata, saracinesca
• Portuguese: grade levadiça, rastrilho
• Russian: воро́та подъёмной решётки
• Spanish: rastrillo

Verb

portcullis (portcullises, present participle portcullising; past and past participle portcullised)

1. To obstruct with, or as with, a portcullis; to shut; to bar.
   • 1597, William Shakespeare, Richard II (play)

     ...Within my mouth you have engaol'd my tongue / Doubly portcullis'd with my teeth and lips...

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