Barbacan

3 definitions found

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  Barbacan \Bar"ba*can\, n.
     See {Barbican}.
     [1913 Webster]

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:



  Barbican \Bar"bi*can\, Barbacan \Bar"ba*can\, n. [OE. barbican,
     barbecan, F. barbacane, LL. barbacana, barbicana, of
     uncertain origin: cf. Ar. barbakh aqueduct, sewer. F.
     barbacane also means, an opening to let out water, loophole.]
     1. (Fort.) A tower or advanced work defending the entrance to
        a castle or city, as at a gate or bridge. It was often
        large and strong, having a ditch and drawbridge of its
        own.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     2. An opening in the wall of a fortress, through which
        missiles were discharged upon an enemy.
        [1913 Webster] Barbicanage

From WordNet (r) 2.0 [wn]:

  barbacan
       n : a tower that is part of a defensive structure (such as a
           castle) [syn: {barbican}]