parapet
noun /ˈpærəpɪt/, /ˈpærəpet/
/ˈpærəpɪt/, /ˈpærəpet/
- a low wall along the edge of a bridge, a roof, etc. to stop people from falling
- A low parapet ran all around the flat roof.
- a wall or barrier placed in order to protect soldiers from being shot
- (figurative) He was not prepared to put his head above the parapet and say what he really thought (= he did not want to risk doing it).
Word Originlate 16th cent.: from French, or from Italian parapetto ‘chest-high wall’, from para- ‘protecting’ + petto ‘chest’ (from Latin pectus).