embattlement

English

Etymology

embattle +‎ -ment

Noun

embattlement (countable and uncountable, plural embattlements)

1. (countable) A battlement.
   • 1922, Michael Arlen, “3/6/1”, in “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.

   • 1970, Anthony Langham, Myrtle Ternstrom, Lundy:

     Embattlements and towers may have formed part of the original structure […]

2. (uncountable) The state of being embattled.
   • 2009 January 26, Alissa J. Rubin, “Iraq’s Leader Pushes for Election Gains, but Some Fear Iron Hand”, in New York Times‎^[2]:

     While that seems unlikely any time soon, such experiences of terror and embattlement have shaped the way Mr. Maliki governs.