Parapet

A parapet consists of a dwarf wall along the edge of a roof, or round a lead flat, terrace walk, etc., to prevent persons from falling over, and as a protection to the defenders in case of a siege. The word comes from the Italian parapetto and/or the French parapet, from Italian para, imperative of Italian parare (to cover, defend) and petto (breast), ultimately from the Latin pectus (breast); the Germans use the term Brustwehr (breast-defence).

Related Topics:
Wall - Terrace - Siege - Italian - French - Imperative - Germans

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Parapets are either plain, embattled, perforated or panelled. The last two are found in all styles except the Romanesque.

Related Topics:
Embattled - Romanesque

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• Plain parapets are simply portions of the wall generally overhanging a little, with a coping at the top and corbel table below.
• Embattled parapets are sometimes panelled, but oftener pierced for the discharge of arrows, etc.
• Perforated parapets are pierced in various devices as circles, trefoils, quatrefoils and other designs so that the light is seen through.
• Panelled parapets are those ornamented by a series of panels, either oblong or square, and more or less enriched, but not perforated. These are common in the Decorated and Perpendicular periods.

Compare breastwork.

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Original text from the 1911 Encyclopaedia Britannica

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Many people believe every house should have a parapet:

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"When you build a new house, make a parapet around your roof so that you may not bring the guilt of bloodshed on your house if someone falls from the roof." -- Deuteronomy 22:8 (NIV).

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Parapet is also an apartment complex located in Austin, Texas. All residents are students at the University of Texas at Austin, located within proximity of the complex.

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