Machicolation

A machicolation is a floor opening between the supporting corbels of a battlement, through which stones, burning objects or hot liquids (such as boiling oil or molten lead) could be dropped on attackers at the base of a defensive wall. A machicolated battlement projects outwards from the supporting wall in order to facilitate this.

Related Topics:
Floor - Corbel - Battlement - Stone - Boiling oil - Molten - Lead - Defensive wall

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The word derives from the Old French word machicoller, derived from Old Provençal machacol, and ultimately from Latin macar (to crush) + collum (the neck).

Related Topics:
Old French - Provençal - Latin

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A variant of machicolations set in the ceiling of a passage were also colloquially known as murder-holes.

Related Topics:
Colloquially - Murder-holes

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