Definitions
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
- n. A low protective wall or railing along the edge of a raised structure such as a roof or balcony.
- n. An earthen or stone embankment protecting soldiers from enemy fire. See Synonyms at bulwark.
Century Dictionary and Cyclopedia
- 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. - 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.
- n. In anatomy, the alveolus, or alveolar border of the jawbone, in which the teeth are inserted.
Wiktionary
- n. A low retaining wall.
- n. Part of a perimeter that extends above the roof.
- n. A fortification consisting of a wall.
GNU Webster's 1913
- n. A low wall, especially one serving to protect the edge of a platform, roof, bridge, or the like.
- 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
- n. a low wall along the edge of a roof or balcony
- n. fortification consisting of a low wall
Etymologies
- French, from Italian parapetto : parare, to shield; see parasol + petto, chest (from Latin pectus).
Examples
“Had Stuart stuck his head above the parapet from the begining, “they” would have done the same to him, because “they” have a lot to hide and will go to great lengths to maintain their own positions.”
“Yet even here the parapet is knocked clearly away for a space of fifteen feet at least, and the eye rests on a house standing in the line of vision on the shore of”
“At this time the height of wall, from the bottom of the ditch to the top of the parapet, is twenty feet.”
“The road swung over a bridge, and leaning on the parapet was a young man.”
“A boche cap above the parapet was a rare sight, but we had our hundred, all right; and then some; for, as”
“A moulded string-course, with gargoyles, runs below the parapet, which is a continuation of the plain coping on the western bays.”
“The original corbel-table remains above, but it is surmounted by a (probably) fourteenth century battlemented parapet, which is returned over the central buttress, forming a square turret, which has a (renewed) gargoyle below it, and is pierced with a cross.”
“The two flying buttresses resemble those on the north side, but from the points where they meet the wall two pilasters run up into the parapet, which is flush with them and is crowned by a plain coping, while beneath it is a string, with gargoyles.”
“Immediately below the parapet is the enormous skeleton clock-face, the proportions of which are reproduced on the pavement of the market-place below.”
“A few stray bullets have come about us, and I could wish that my parapet was a trifle higher, and I am, moreover, doubtful whether my candle light is not reflected through the roof stretchers which have a wrong tilt.”
Lists
These user-created lists contain the word ‘parapet’.
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defense
shield, aegis, armor, cuirass, plastron, inured, reinforced, cataphract, proof, targus, buckler, shield bearer and 123 more...
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Interesting words
A list of words that are odd or words that I have looked up.
concupiscence, brize, scree, scoria, forestaff, spanaemia, valetudinarianism, distasture, pyrethrum, laudanum, gentian, bicameral and 1073 more...
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Dash's list
Words of interest.
cacogen, fricatrice, destrier, swoon, multiverse, haggard, entranced, entheogen, passionate, ascendant, conciliator, bandylegged and 34 more...
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• The bonhomous lynchpin - And other words from...
plinth, starboard, bonhomie, bulkhead, brethren, gabardine, anon, lynchpin, vine, yoke, sequin, marigold and 12 more...
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para-
protecting or warding off
reesetee Heehee! Oct 30, 2008
effigy I have two cats; thus, a parapet. Oct 29, 2008
whichbe What a strange pet. Jul 22, 2008