† propugnaclen.

a1460 Knyghthode & Bataile (Pembr. Cambr. 243) 2282 (MED) For firing of the yatis make obstacle, Couer hem with hidys and with iron plate, And make aforn a myghti propugnacle [L. propugnaculum].

1524 T. Wolsey Let. to Clerk, Pace, & Hannibal in State Papers (1849) VI. 283 No resistence was or coude be made unto the Turkes entreprises, who sens thies last warris hath wonne and attayned the Roodes and the towne of Belgrado, which were the 2 propugnacles of Christendome.

1550 J. Coke Deb. Heraldes Eng. & Fraunce sig. Lvi^v A great strength Propugnacle and Bulwarke, for the noble realme of Englande.

1578 J. Banister Hist. Man iv. f. 55^v The viij. Muscles of Abdomen..are propugnacles, and defences to the subiect partes.

1612 R. Sheldon 1st Serm. after Conversion 61 His propugnacle and defence of Christian religion which no Pontifician durst euer yet attempt to confute.

1657 J. Howell Londinopolis 48 The Tower of London, it being the prime Fortresse and propugnacle of the City.

1710 D. Jones Life James II 541 They had Posts and Places of fastness to retire to, as Biscay and Wales, where Nature hath cut up those Mountains as propugnacles of Defence.

1828 N. Webster Amer. Dict. Eng. Lang. Propugnacle. [Also in later dictionaries.]]