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What Is a "Battlement" or a "Crenellation"? What are "Embrasures" and "Merlons"?

By , About.com Guide

Illustration of castle battlement (crenellation) from ArtToday.com

Illustration of a castle battlement (crenellation).

ArtToday.com
Definition:

On a castle or fort, a battlement or crenellation is a parapet with open spaces for shooting. The raised portions of a battlement ("A" in illustration) are called merlons, and the openings ("B") are called embrasures. Masonry buildings in the Gothic Revival style may have architectural decoration which resembles battlements.

Also Known As:

castellation

Alternate Spellings:

crenelation

E: Architecture Terms Starting With E

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