27 December 2017
parapet
[par-uh-pit, -pet]
noun
1. Fortification.
a defensive wall or elevation, as of earth or stone, in a fortification.
an elevation raised above the main wall or rampart of a permanent fortification.
2. any low protective wall or barrier at the edge of a balcony, roof, bridge, or the like.
Origin of parapet
Italian
1575-1585; < Italian parapetto, equivalent to para- para-2+ petto chest, breast < Latin pectus
Related forms
parapeted, adjective
parapetless, adjective
Dictionary.com
Examples from the Web for parapet
Contemporary Examples
The head of this family, atop his roof with the rest, poked his head gingerly above the parapet, fearing the worst.
Michael Ware on Staff Sgt. Robert Bales, Accused of Killing Afghan Civilians
Michael Ware
March 19, 2012
Then a German soldier popped up from behind a parapet and fired.
My Father, The Inglourious Basterd
Kim Masters
August 8, 2009
Historical Examples
Let us sit down on the parapet and try to realise the scene.
Camps, Quarters and Casual Places
Archibald Forbes
He swung himself on—near—near—nearer—a yard from the parapet.
Night and Morning, Complete
Edward Bulwer-Lytton
“This is where Gordon used to stand,” the Sirdar stopped us near the parapet.
It Happened in Egypt
C. N. Williamson
Today’s quote
A kind gesture can reach a wound that only compassion can heal.
– Steve Maraboli
On this day
27 December – the third day of the 12 days of Christmas (Western Christianity).
27 December 1822 – birth of Louis Pasteur, French bacteriologist, one of the founders of microbiology. Invented the process for preventing milk and wine from causing sickness, known as pasteurisation. (Not entirely fool-proof, as over-imbibing wine still seems to cause sickness in some). Died 28 September 1895.
27 December 1923 – death of Gustave Eiffel, French engineer and architect, co-designed the Eiffel Tower. Born 15 December 1832.
27 December 1979 – Soviet Union overthrows the Afghan government, replacing President Hufizullah Amin with Babrak Karmal.
27 December 2007 – Benazir Bhutto, former Pakistani Prime Minister, is assassinated by a suicide bomber immediately after shots were fired at her. Bhutto was the first female head of an Islamic nation. The bombing killed 24 other people.