[Elamur Dictionary](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/portcullis/)

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# portcullis

noun (a portcullis, portcullises)

«portcullis» in the English dictionary: everyday — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## Everyday

A heavy grid of iron or wooden bars that slides down in grooves to close a castle gateway. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/portcullis/#m1)

### In the lessons

In history lessons on medieval castles: the portcullis was dropped to stop attackers, with «murder holes» above the gateway. The portcullis is also a symbol of the UK Parliament. Used in adventure stories and games.

### Examples

- The guards lowered the portcullis to keep out the enemy. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/portcullis/#x1)
- The portcullis crashed down just behind the knight. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/portcullis/#x2)
- We saw the old portcullis at the castle. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/portcullis/#x3)
- The portcullis was raised with chains and a winch. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/portcullis/#x4)
- A portcullis appears on the badge of Parliament. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/portcullis/#x5)
- Arrows flew through the bars of the portcullis. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/portcullis/#x6)

### Note

Pronounced port-CULL-is. Plural: portcullises. From old French for «sliding door».

## On Mova

- [Trees and pragmatics of «portcullis» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/portcullis/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«portcullis» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/portcullis.html) on Mova free.