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Definitions

American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition

  1. n. A low protective wall or railing along the edge of a raised structure such as a roof or balcony.
  2. n. An earthen or stone embankment protecting soldiers from enemy fire. See Synonyms at bulwark.

Century Dictionary and Cyclopedia

  1. n. A wall or rampart rising breast-high. Milit., a wall, rampart, or elevation of earth to cover soldiers from the attacks of an enemy in front; a breastwork. About half-way up the inner side is a ledge called a banquette, which the troops mount when they are about to fire. See also cuts under embrasure and fortification.
  2. n. In architecture, a wall or barrier, either plain or ornamented, placed at the edges of platforms or balconies, roofs of houses, sides of bridges, etc., to prevent people from falling over; also, something resembling such a parapet in appearance or use. See cut under moucharaby.
  3. n. In anatomy, the alveolus, or alveolar border of the jawbone, in which the teeth are inserted.

Wiktionary

  1. n. A low retaining wall.
  2. n. Part of a perimeter that extends above the roof.
  3. n. A fortification consisting of a wall.

GNU Webster's 1913

  1. n. A low wall, especially one serving to protect the edge of a platform, roof, bridge, or the like.
  2. n. A wall, rampart, or elevation of earth, for covering soldiers from an enemy's fire; a breastwork. See Illust. of Casemate.

WordNet 3.0

  1. n. a low wall along the edge of a roof or balcony
  2. n. fortification consisting of a low wall

Etymologies

  1. French, from Italian parapetto : parare, to shield; see parasol + petto, chest (from Latin pectus).

Examples

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‘parapet’ has been looked up 2084 times, loved by 7 people, added to 60 lists, commented on 3 times, and has a Scrabble score of 11.