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Portcullis for Dummies

noun

pronunciation: poʊrt'kəlɪs

What does Portcullis really mean?

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Hey there! So you're curious about the word "portcullis," huh? Well, let me tell you all about it in a way that's super easy to understand.

Alright, imagine you're back in the medieval times, like in those knight and castle movies. You know those big, strong gates of castles that you see? Well, a portcullis is kind of like a super cool door within those gates. It's not like a regular door, though. It's more like a heavy metal grid or grate that could be lowered down.

The main purpose of a portcullis was to protect the castle from any unwanted visitors or enemies who might try to storm their way in. It acted like a final barrier, a last line of defense, if you will. So whenever the people inside the castle felt threatened, they could just lower that portcullis and prevent anyone from getting through.

But here's the thing, the portcullis wasn't just a random, simple gate. Oh no, it was actually designed to be pretty tricky for anyone trying to break through. The metal bars of the portcullis had sharp spikes at the bottom, making it nearly impossible for anyone to climb over or break through. It was like a fortress within a fortress!

So, to sum it up, a portcullis is a special kind of gate made of heavy metal bars or grates, which can be lowered down in a medieval castle. Its primary job is to keep out unwanted visitors and enemies by acting as a strong and tricky obstacle. It's like a castle's last defense mechanism, just like a boss level of a video game!

Hope that made things crystal clear for you! If you have any more questions or if there's something else you'd like to learn, just let me know!

Revised and Fact checked by David Anderson on 2023-10-28 14:51:22

Portcullis In a sentece

Learn how to use Portcullis inside a sentece

  • In medieval times, castles used a portcullis as a heavy gate that could be lowered to protect the entrance.
  • You may have seen a portcullis in fairy tales and movies, where it is often used to show a fortified entrance.
  • The portcullis was designed to be very strong and durable, made of heavy metal bars that could withstand attacks.
  • When enemies approached a castle, the portcullis would be quickly lowered to block their entry and keep them out.
  • Sometimes, portcullises were also equipped with spikes or spears at the bottom, making it even more difficult for intruders to pass through.

Portcullis Hypernyms

Words that are more generic than the original word.