barbican

[ bahr-bi-kuh n ]
/ ˈbɑr bɪ kən /

noun

an outwork of a fortified place, as a castle.
a defensive outpost of any sort.
Also barbacan.

Origin of barbican

1250–1300; Middle English barbecan, barbican < Old French barbacane or Medieval Latin barbacana, perhaps ≪ Persian bālāḥāna terrace over a roof, upper floor, altered by association with Latin barba beard, a beard marking the front or face of a thing

Example sentences from the Web for barbican

British Dictionary definitions for barbican (1 of 2)

barbican
/ (ˈbɑːbɪkən) /

noun

a walled outwork or tower to protect a gate or drawbridge of a fortification
a watchtower projecting from a fortification

Word Origin for barbican

C13: from Old French barbacane, from Medieval Latin barbacana, of unknown origin

British Dictionary definitions for barbican (2 of 2)

Barbican
/ (ˈbɑːbɪkən) /

noun

the Barbican a building complex in the City of London: includes residential developments and the Barbican Arts Centre (completed 1982) housing concert and exhibition halls, theatres, cinemas, etc