Port*cul"lis (?), n. [OF. porte coulisse, coleice, 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.

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.

 

© Webster 1913.


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

To obstruct with, or as with, a portcullis; to shut; to bar.

[R.]

Shak.

 

© Webster 1913.

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