parapet Pronunciation: /ˈparəpɪt/
Translate parapet into German | into Italian | into Spanish
Definition of parapet
noun
- a low protective wall along the edge of a roof, bridge, or balcony: she stood on the bridge, leaning over the parapet to watch the water race by
- a protective wall or earth defence along the top of a trench or other place of concealment for troops: the sandbags that made up the parapet had been blown away and the wall of the trench had caved in figurative Mr Scargill raised his head above the parapet to call for the repeal of ‘anti-union’ legislation
Origin:
late 16th century: from French, or from Italian parapetto 'chest-high wall', from para- 'protecting' + petto 'chest' (from Latin pectus)