How Do You Spell MACHICOLATE?

Pronunciation: [mˈat͡ʃɪkˌɒle͡ɪt] (IPA)

The word "machicolate" is a verb meaning to equip a fortress or castle with a projecting gallery over a gate or drawbridge, through which missiles or boiling water could be dropped on attackers. The spelling of the word is ma-CHIK-uh-layt, with the stress on the second syllable. The "ch" is pronounced like "sh" in this word, and the final "e" is silent. The word is derived from the Old French word "machequer," which means "to crush head."

MACHICOLATE Meaning and Definition

  1. The term "machicolate" is a verb that refers to the act of constructing or fitting a row of openings or small holes, known as machicolations, in a fortification or castle battlement. These machicolations are usually located at the top or upper parts of walls, towers, or gatehouses. The purpose behind machicolating is primarily defensive, as it allows defenders to drop or throw projectiles such as rocks, boiling water, or other harmful objects onto attackers below.

    The architectural technique of machicolating emerged during the medieval period as a means to fortify structures and enhance their defensive capabilities. Machicolations were typically built using stones, bricks, or wooden beams, and were strategically placed with calculated distances to ensure optimal coverage of the area below. In some instances, a removable or hinged cover known as a machicolation floor was also used to close off the openings when not in use.

    The term "machicolate" can also be used metaphorically to describe any action or process of fortifying, protecting, or bolstering against potential threats or dangers. This broader sense of the term is often employed in contexts beyond architectural or military discussions, such as in discussions of personal or organizational defenses against various challenges or risks.

    In summary, "machicolate" specifically refers to the act of constructing openings or holes in a fortification for defensive purposes, but it can also be used more broadly to describe the process of fortifying or protecting against any form of threat or danger.

Common Misspellings for MACHICOLATE

  • nachicolate
  • kachicolate
  • jachicolate
  • mzchicolate
  • mschicolate
  • mwchicolate
  • mqchicolate
  • maxhicolate
  • mavhicolate
  • mafhicolate
  • madhicolate
  • macgicolate
  • macbicolate
  • macnicolate
  • macjicolate
  • macuicolate
  • macyicolate
  • machucolate
  • machjcolate

Etymology of MACHICOLATE

The word "machicolate" is derived from the Latin word "machĕra" meaning "battlement". It also has roots in the Old French word "machecol", which refers to a projecting wooden gallery or covered walkway that allowed defenders of a castle or fortification to drop objects onto attackers below. The term eventually evolved to "machicoulis" in Middle French, and then was transformed into the English word "machicolate" in the late 15th century.

Similar spelling words for MACHICOLATE

Conjugate verb Machicolate

CONDITIONAL

I would machicolate
you would machicolate
he/she/it would machicolate
we would machicolate
they would machicolate

CONDITIONAL CONTINUOUS

I would be machicolating
you would be machicolating
he/she/it would be machicolating
we would be machicolating
they would be machicolating

CONDITIONAL PERFECT

I would have machicolate
you would have machicolate
he/she/it would have machicolate
we would have machicolate
they would have machicolate

CONDITIONAL PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I would have been machicolating
you would have been machicolating
he/she/it would have been machicolating
we would have been machicolating
they would have been machicolating

FUTURE

I will machicolate
you will machicolate
he/she/it will machicolate
we will machicolate
they will machicolate

FUTURE CONTINUOUS

I will be machicolating
you will be machicolating
he/she/it will be machicolating
we will be machicolating
they will be machicolating

FUTURE PERFECT

I will have machicolated
you will have machicolated
he/she/it will have machicolated
we will have machicolated
they will have machicolated

FUTURE PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I will have been machicolating
you will have been machicolating
he/she/it will have been machicolating
we will have been machicolating
they will have been machicolating

IMPERATIVE

you machicolate
we let´s machicolate

NONFINITE VERB FORMS

to machicolate

PAST

I machicolated
you machicolated
he/she/it machicolated
we machicolated
they machicolated

PAST CONTINUOUS

I was machicolating
you were machicolating
he/she/it was machicolating
we were machicolating
they were machicolating

PAST PARTICIPLE

machicolated

PAST PERFECT

I had machicolated
you had machicolated
he/she/it had machicolated
we had machicolated
they had machicolated

PAST PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I had been machicolating
you had been machicolating
he/she/it had been machicolating
we had been machicolating
they had been machicolating

PRESENT

I machicolate
you machicolate
he/she/it machicolates
we machicolate
they machicolate

PRESENT CONTINUOUS

I am machicolating
you are machicolating
he/she/it is machicolating
we are machicolating
they are machicolating

PRESENT PARTICIPLE

machicolating

PRESENT PERFECT

I have machicolated
you have machicolated
he/she/it has machicolated
we have machicolated
they have machicolated

PRESENT PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I have been machicolating
you have been machicolating
he/she/it has been machicolating
we have been machicolating
they have been machicolating

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