barbican

bar·bi·can

B b

Transcription

- US Pronunciation
- US IPA
- UK Pronunciation
- UK IPA
- [bahr-bi-kuh n]
- /ˈbɑr bɪ kən/
- /ˈbɑː.bɪkən/

- US Pronunciation
- US IPA
- [bahr-bi-kuh n]
- /ˈbɑr bɪ kən/

Definitions of barbican word

noun barbican a walled outwork or tower to protect a gate or drawbridge of a fortification 3
noun barbican a watchtower projecting from a fortification 3
noun barbican a defensive tower or similar fortification at a gate or bridge leading into a town or castle 3
noun barbican an outwork of a fortified place, as a castle. 1
noun barbican a defensive outpost of any sort. 1
noun barbican The outer defense of a castle or walled city, especially a double tower above a gate or drawbridge. 1

See all 10 definitions of barbican

Information block about the term

Origin of barbican

First appearance:

before 1250

One of the 11% oldest English words

1250-1300; Middle English barbecan, barbican < Old French barbacane or Medieval Latin barbacana, perhaps ≪ Persian bālāḥāna terrace over a roof, upper floor, altered by association with Latin barba beard, a beard marking the front or face of a thing

Historical Comparancy

Parts of speech for Barbican

noun

adjective

verb

adverb

pronoun

preposition

conjunction

determiner

exclamation

Full grammatical hierarchy of Barbican

barbican popularity

A common word. It’s meaning is known to most children of preschool age. About 71% of English native speakers know the meaning and use the word.

This word is included in each student's vocabulary. Most likely there is at least one movie with this word in the title.

barbican usage trend in Literature

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Synonyms for barbican

noun barbican

landmark — a prominent or conspicuous object on land that serves as a guide, especially to ships at sea or to travelers on a road; a distinguishing landscape feature marking a site or location: The post office served as a landmark for locating the street to turn down.
observatory — a place or building equipped and used for making observations of astronomical, meteorological, or other natural phenomena, especially a place equipped with a powerful telescope for observing the planets and stars.
beacon — A beacon is a light or a fire, usually on a hill or tower, which acts as a signal or a warning.
lighthouse — a tower or other structure displaying or flashing a very bright light for the guidance of ships in avoiding dangerous areas, in following certain routes, etc.
mirador — (in Spanish-speaking countries) any architectural feature, as a loggia or balcony, affording a view of the surroundings.

All 11 Synonyms of barbican