n.
Pronunciation: m ə - ˌ chi-k ə - ' l ā -sh ə n
Function: noun
Etymology: Medieval Latin machicolare to furnish with machicolations, from Middle French machicoller, from machicoleis machicolation, from macher to crush + col neck, from Latin collum ― more at COLLAR
Date: 1787
1 a : an opening between the corbels of a projecting parapet or in the floor of a gallery or roof of a portal for discharging missiles upon assailants below ― see BATTLEMENT illustration b : a gallery or parapet containing such openings
2 : construction imitating medieval machicolation
– ma · chic · o · lat · ed \ m ə - ' chi-k ə - ˌ l ā -t ə d \ adjective