machicolate
[ muh-chik-uh-leyt ]
/ məˈtʃɪk əˌleɪt /
verb (used with object), ma·chic·o·lat·ed, ma·chic·o·lat·ing.
to provide with machicolations.
Origin of machicolate
1765–75; < Medieval Latin
machecoll(um), a Latinization of Middle French
*machecol literally, (it) breaks (the) neck (from the use of such openings to drop projectiles on an ascending attacker;
mache, 3rd singular present of
macher to beat, break, bruise (apparently of expressive orig.) +
col neck (see
collar)) +
-ate1; compare late Middle English
machecollyd machicolated
Words nearby machicolate
machete,
machi chips,
machiavelli,
machiavelli, niccolò,
machiavellian,
machicolate,
machicolation,
machida,
machilid,
machilipatnam,
machinable
British Dictionary definitions for machicolate
machicolate
/ (məˈtʃɪkəʊˌleɪt) /
verb
(tr)
to construct machicolations at the top of (a wall)
Word Origin for machicolate
C18: from Old French
machicoller, ultimately from Provençal
machacol, from
macar to crush +
col neck