Barbican Definition
bärbĭ-kən
noun
A tower or other fortification on the approach to a castle or town, especially one at a gate or drawbridge.
American Heritage
A defensive tower or similar fortification at a gate or bridge leading into a town or castle.
Webster's New World
An opening in the wall of a fortress through which the guns are levelled; a narrow loophole through which arrows and other missiles may be shot.
Wiktionary
Synonyms:
Other Word Forms of Barbican
Noun
Singular:
barbican
Plural:
barbicansOrigin of Barbican
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Middle English from Old French barbacane from Medieval Latin barbacana from Persian barbārkhān barbār guard (from Old Iranian parivāraka- protective wer-4 in Indo-European roots) khān house (from Middle Persian)
From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition
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From Old French barbacane, of uncertain origin: compare Arabic بربخ (barbakh, “aqueduct, sewer”), and Persian بابخانه (bab-khâna, “gatehouse”).
From Wiktionary
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