Category:Portcullis

Port*cul"lis, n. Etym: [of. porte coulisse, coleïce, a sliding door, Fr. L. colare, colatum, to filter, to strain: cf. F. couler to glide. See port a gate, and cf. Cullis, colander.]

1. (fort.)

Defn: a grating of iron or of timbers pointed with iron, hung over The gateway of a fortress, to be let down to prevent the entrance of An enemy. "let the portcullis fall." Sir w. Scott. She. . . the huge portcullis high updrew. Milton.

2. An english coin of the reign of elizabeth, struck for the use of The east india company; -- so called from its bearing the figure of a Portcullis on the reverse.

Portcullis Port*cul"lis, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Portcullised; p. pr. & vb. n. Portcullising.]

Defn: to obstruct with, or as with, a portcullis; to shut; to bar. [r.] Shak.