pontlevis
Definitions
from the GNU version of the Collaborative International Dictionary of English
- noun The action of a horse in rearing repeatedly and dangerously.
from The Century Dictionary and Cyclopedia
- noun A drawbridge.
Examples
-
We had reached the outer court by this, and were hurrying for the bridge that led to the pontlevis when we saw a tall man, his cuirass glittering like silver in the moonlight, step out of the shadow and signal to a trumpeter, who stood at his side.
-
Almost had we freed it when the trumpet sounded again, and with a rattling of chains the huge pontlevis rose.
Note
The word 'pontlevis' comes from a French word meaning 'drawbridge'.
