n. 1 a strong heavy grating sliding up and down in vertical grooves, lowered to block a gateway in a fortress etc. 2 (Portcullis) Heraldry one of the four pursuivants of the English College of Arms, with this as a badge. portcullised adj.
[ ME f. OF porte coleïce sliding door f. porte door f. L porta + col(e)ïce fem. of couleïs sliding ult. f. L colare filter ]