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machicolate

[ muh-chik-uh-leyt ]
/ məˈtʃɪk əˌleɪt /
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verb (used with object), ma·chic·o·lat·ed, ma·chic·o·lat·ing.
to provide with machicolations.
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Origin of machicolate

First recorded in 1765–75; from Medieval Latin machecoll(um), a Latinization of unattested Middle French machecol literally, “(it) breaks (the) neck” (from the use of such openings to drop projectiles on an ascending attacker; mache, 3rd singular present of macher “to beat, break, bruise” (apparently of expressive origin) + col “neck, collar”) + -ate1; compare late Middle English machecollyd “machicolated”; see collar

Words nearby machicolate

Machiavelli, Machiavellian, Machiavellianism, Machiavelli, Niccolò, machi chips, machicolate, machicolation, Machida, machilid, Machilipatnam, machinable
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

British Dictionary definitions for machicolate

machicolate
/ (məˈtʃɪkəʊˌleɪt) /
verb
(tr) to construct machicolations at the top of (a wall)

Word Origin for machicolate

C18: from Old French machicoller, ultimately from Provençal machacol, from macar to crush + col neck
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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