BARBICAN Definition & Meaning

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barbican

[ bahr-bi-kuhn ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

an outwork of a fortified place, as a castle.
a defensive outpost of any sort.

barbican

/ ˈ��ɑː��ɪ��ə�� /

noun

a walled outwork or tower to protect a gate or drawbridge of a fortification
a watchtower projecting from a fortification

Barbican

/ ˈ��ɑː��ɪ��ə�� /

noun

the Barbican
a building complex in the City of London: includes residential developments and the Barbican Arts Centre (completed 1982) housing concert and exhibition halls, theatres, cinemas, etc

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�y��vlog History and Origins

Origin of barbican¹

1250–1300; Middle English barbecan, barbican < Old French barbacane or Medieval Latin barbacana, perhaps ≪ Persian ��ḥān�� terrace over a roof, upper floor, altered by association with Latin barba beard, a beard marking the front or face of a thing

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�y��vlog History and Origins

Origin of barbican¹

C13: from Old French barbacane , from Medieval Latin barbacana , of unknown origin

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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

If the barbican fell, the castle still had two courtyards, or baileys, from which last gasp fighting could be carried out.

From

The stone part of the drawbridge with its barbican and the bartizans of the gatehouse are in good repair.

From

And suddenly the madness was behind and they were clattering across the cobbled square that fronted on the castle barbican.

From

A good friend, sir, to a man in danger, may stand like a barbican, as it were, before a fortress, encountering the first attack of the enemy.

From

Soon in his saddle sate he fast, And soon the steep descent he past, Soon crossed the sounding barbican, And soon the Teviot side he won.

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