portcullis
/pɔrtˈkʌlɪs/
noun
- A strong, heavy grating that slides up and down in grooves, used to block the entrance of a castle or fortress.
- Visitors to the medieval fortress walked under the raised portcullis into the courtyard.
- In movies, the portcullis often crashes down dramatically to seal off a gateway.
- The guards lowered the portcullis to prevent the invaders from entering the castle.