释义 |
▪ I. battlement, n.|ˈbæt(ə)lmənt| Forms: 4–5 batelment, 5 -eillement, 5–6 -ilment, -illement, -ylment(e, battilment, 6– battlement. [ME. bateill-, batayle-, batelment, a. OF. *bataille-, *bateillement. f. batailler (= Pr. batalhar). OF. had also (later) batillement, f. ba(s)tillier, whence Caxton's batillement: as to the relation of the two forms see battle v.2] An indented parapet at the top of a wall, at first used only in fortified buildings for purposes of defence against assailants, but afterwards in the architectural decoration of ecclesiastical and other edifices. The raised parts are called cops or merlons, the indentations embrasures or crenelles.
c1325E.E. Allit. P. B. 1459 Enbaned vnder batelment with bantelles quoynt. 1443Test. Ebor. (1855) II. 89 Ad facturam unius batilment super ecclesiam predictam. 1475Caxton Jason 100 b, Som ran to the creneaulx or batillements of the walles. 1593Shakes. Rich. II, iii. iii. 52 This Castle's tatter'd Battlements. 1611Bible Deut. xxii. 8 When thou buildest a new house, then thou shalt make a battlement for thy roofe. 1762H. Walpole Vertue's Anecd. Paint. (1786) I. 169 The battlements of all the said chapels and porches. 1814Scott Wav. lxiii, The battlements above the gates were broken and thrown down. b. loosely for ‘embattled roof.’
1595Shakes. John ii. i. 375 These scroyles of Anjou..stand securely on their battelments. 1677Moxon Mech. Exerc. (1703) 157 Battlement, a flat Roof or Platform to walk on. But Battlements are more properly Walls build about the Platform to inclose it. 1803Bristed Ped. Tour II. 470 Presently appeared, upon the battlements above, some female forms, arrayed in white. c. transf. A crenelated brim on cups, etc. d. fig. The towering summits of the mountains, the roof of the heavens.
1444Test. Ebor. (1855) II. 98 Unam peciam [cup] coopertam cum batelment deauratam. c1530in Gutch Coll. Cur. II. 327 A standing Cuppe withe a Cover and Batilments of silvar. 1667Milton P.L. i. 742 Thrown by angry Jove Sheer o're the Chrystal Battlements 1860Tyndall Glac. i. §16. 112 The torn battlements of the mountain. e. Comb., as battlement-wise adv.
1616Surfl. & Markh. Countr. Farm 512 A smooth board, six or seuen ynches square, and cut battlement-wise at each end. ▪ II. ˈbattlement, v. [f. prec. n.] To furnish or decorate with battlements.
1603[see next]. 1884Pall Mall G. 18 July 11/2 It is proposed to..battlement the top of the wall. |