Definitions

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

  • verb Simple past tense and past participle of portcullis.

Etymologies

Sorry, no etymologies found.

Support

Help support Wordnik (and make this page ad-free) by adopting the word portcullised.

Examples

  • Once over the drawbridge and within the portcullised gateway, his murderous scheme might have been easy, for my score of men-at-arms on duty would have been taken by surprise and so at

    Tales of Destiny Edmund Mitchell

  • Two large towers, with conical tops over a portcullised gateway, admitted the prisoners into a small square court, round which were ranged the offices of the lieutenant of police, and the chambers of the law-officers of the crown.

    Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine, No. CCCXXXVI. October, 1843. Vol. LIV. Various

  • The king and his principal officers took post within the rooms over the Porte St Denis -- then a square turreted building, with a pointed and portcullised gate and drawbridge beneath -- to see the troops march out, and he stationed himself at the window looking down the street.

    Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine, No. CCCXXXVI. October, 1843. Vol. LIV. Various

  • Each barbican was portcullised, while the inner gates were similarly safeguarded in addition to the drawbridges which, spanning the moat when lowered, could be drawn up at the approach of an enemy, effectually stopping his advance.

    The Outlaw of Torn Edgar Rice Burroughs 1912

  • The quay, with its trees and lateen craft, ran along under the towers and portcullised gate of the old Venetian wall, within clustered the town, and then the fortifications zigzagged up steeply to a monstrous fantastic fortress perched upon a great mountain headland that overhung the town.

    The Research Magnificent 1906

  • The northern part of this front, which was probably occupied by stables, would in dry weather be the least defensible part of the castle; but it was cut off from the rest by an embattled wall running from the gate-house to the inner moat and pierced only by one small and portcullised gate.

    Mediæval Wales Chiefly in the Twelfth and Thirteenth Centuries: Six Popular Lectures 1904

  • Some men left the stronger waters, which could be had at a glittering portcullised bar opposite the fireplace in the tap-room, to chat with these short-waisted beauties.

    Lazarre Mary Hartwell Catherwood 1874

  • The great chains clanked and tightened, the heavy drawbridge rose in air, and Otho of Brunswick saw the portcullised gate of Constance drop heavily before his very eyes, and knew that his cause was lost.

    Historic Boys Their Endeavours, Their Achievements, and Their Times Elbridge Streeter Brooks 1874

  • Feudal despotism, on the contrary, reigns in the heart of Ferrara, where the Este's stronghold, moated, draw-bridged, and portcullised, casting dense shadow over the water that protects the dungeons, still seems to threaten the public square and overawe the homes of men.

    Renaissance in Italy Volume 3 The Fine Arts John Addington Symonds 1866

  • As we fingered the queer little coupon our thoughts reverted to the revolutionary assignats current during the Reign of Terror, and which were sold until recently, as curiosities, by the old man who kept the printstall beneath the portcullised arch at the Bibliothèque Impérial, in the Rue Richelieu.

    Echoes of the Week 1863

Comments

Log in or sign up to get involved in the conversation. It's quick and easy.