parapet

[ par-uh-pit, -pet ]

/ ˈpær ə pɪt, -ˌpɛt /

Fortification.

a defensive wall or elevation, as of earth or stone, in a fortification.
an elevation raised above the main wall or rampart of a permanent fortification.

any low protective wall or barrier at the edge of a balcony, roof, bridge, or the like.

Origin of parapet

1575–85; < Italian parapetto, equivalent to para- para-² + petto chest, breast < Latin pectus

par·a·pet·ed, adjective par·a·pet·less, adjective

The head of this family, atop his roof with the rest, poked his head gingerly above the parapet, fearing the worst.

Michael Ware on Staff Sgt. Robert Bales, Accused of Killing Afghan Civilians |Michael Ware |March 20, 2012 |DAILY BEAST
Then a German soldier popped up from behind a parapet and fired.

My Father, The Inglourious Basterd |Kim Masters |August 9, 2009 |DAILY BEAST
I wandered on, heavy sniping hissing over my head or into the parapet, covering me with clay occasionally.

Letters of Lt.-Col. George Brenton Laurie |George Brenton Laurie
Leaning on the parapet, she had the front half of her body outside the pit and the back half inside.

Insect Adventures |J. Henri Fabre

At night the Turks built up in front of their parapet, and two were shot by Sergeant Stanton.

With Manchesters in the East |Gerald B. Hurst
Once there, I raced across to the parapet, that walls it 'round, and looked down.

The House on the Borderland |William Hope Hodgson
The heavy swell was tossing her about like a cork, with the result that the use of the parapet anchors was extremely difficult.

The Blocking of Zeebrugge |Alfred F. B. Carpenter

parapet

/ (ˈpærəpɪt, -ˌpɛt) /

a low wall or railing along the edge of a balcony, roof, etc

Also called: breastwork a rampart, mound of sandbags, bank, etc, in front of a trench, giving protection from fire from the front

C16: from Italian parapetto, literally: chest-high wall, from para- ² + petto, from Latin pectus breast