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.
Derivatives:
portcullised adj.
Etymology: ME f. OF porte cole{iuml}ce sliding door f. porte door f. L porta + col(e){iuml}ce fem. of coule{iuml}s sliding ult. f. L colare filter