Barbican
/ˈbɑːr.bɪ.kən/noun
A fortified outwork or defensive gateway, especially one protecting the entrance to a castle or city.
Did you know?Barbican ultimately comes from a medieval term for an outer defensive tower or gateway, and its exact deeper origin is uncertain, though it was used in fortress-building long before it became a famous London place name.
Etymological Timeline
Late Latin
LL
barbacana
“an outer fortification or outwork, especially before a gate”
Old French
OFr
barbacane
“a fortified outwork or outer gateway defense”
Middle English
ME
barbican
“an outer defensive tower or fortified gate”
Modern English
English
barbican
“a fortified outwork or defensive gateway”