crenellated
Having defensive notches
Crenellated describes something with a series of regular notches or indentations along its top edge, like the alternating high and low sections on a castle wall.
Those gaps, called crenels or embrasures, originally allowed defenders to shoot arrows while staying protected behind the raised portions.
The word now applies to any structure or design with this distinctive battlement pattern, whether on actual fortifications or decorative architectural features.
The crenellated roofline gave the building a medieval appearance.
Solid parapet section
- embrasureFortified wall opening
- parapetLow wall at edge
- battlementToothed fortress wall crown
- curtain wallNon-load-bearing outer shell
arrow slit · loophole · turret · rampart · watchtower · allure · corbel · ashlar
Retain or fortified tower
- towerTall slender edifice
- turretProtruding fortified structure
- moatDefensive water ditch
- drawbridgeHinged castle entrance span
portcullis · barbican · gatehouse · bailey · dungeon · courtyard · great hall · stronghold
Set back from edge
- serratedHaving toothlike projections
- jaggedSharply uneven, notched
- zigzagAngled back-and-forth path
- toothedHaving pointed projections
scalloped · castellated · denticulate · sawtooth · stepped · alternating · gap · notch
Strengthening defenses or nutrients
- garrisonStationed military force
- siegeEncirclement forcing surrender
- bastionFortified defensive position
- bulwarkDefensive fortification or safeguard
redoubt · palisade · stockade · barricade · entrenchment · emplacement · blockhouse · guardhouse
merlon
Solid parapet section
- embrasureFortified wall opening
- parapetLow wall at edge
- battlementToothed fortress wall crown
curtain wall · arrow slit · loophole · turret · rampart · watchtower · allure · corbel · ashlar · masonry
keep
Retain or fortified tower
drawbridge · portcullis · barbican · gatehouse · bailey · dungeon · courtyard · great hall · stronghold · fortress
indented
Set back from edge
toothed · scalloped · castellated · denticulate · sawtooth · stepped · alternating · gap · notch · groove
fortification
Strengthening defenses or nutrients
- garrisonStationed military force
- siegeEncirclement forcing surrender
- bastionFortified defensive position
bulwark · redoubt · palisade · stockade · barricade · entrenchment · emplacement · blockhouse · guardhouse · watchtower
crenellatedflat-topped
Horizontally terminated above
continuous · unbroken · unfortified · unnotched · level