crenellation

WOTD – 28 April 2010

English [edit]

A tower parapet with crenellation.

This entry lacks etymological information. If you are familiar with the origin of this term, please add it to the page as described here.

crenellation (plural crenellations)

A pattern along the top of a parapet (fortified wall), most often in the form of multiple, regular, rectangular spaces in the top of the wall, through which arrows or other weaponry may be shot, especially as used in medieval European architecture.
- 1922, Michael Arlen, chapter 3/6/1, “Piracy”: A Romantic Chronicle of These Days^[1]:
  
  This villa was long and low and white, and severe after its manner : for upon and about it were none of those playful ebullitions of taste, such as conical towers, domed roofs, embattlements, statues, coloured tiles and crenellations, such as are dear to architects of villas all the world over.
The act of crenellating; adding a top row that looks like the top of a medieval castle.

pattern along the top of a parapet through which arrows or other weaponry may be shot