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

• magically,
• machicolation,
• magic lantern.

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