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
Words nearby barbican
barbershopper,
barberton,
barberton daisy,
barbet,
barbette,
barbican,
barbicel,
barbie,
barbie doll,
barbirolli,
barbital
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