In 1511, leaders in Mecca believed coffee stimulated radical thinking and outlawed the drink. In 1524, the leaders overturned that order, and people could drink coffee again.
BARBACAN
barbican, barbacan
(noun) a tower that is part of a defensive structure (such as a castle)
Source: WordNet® 3.1
Bar"ba*can, n.
Definition: See Barbican.
Bar"bi*can, Bar"ba*can, n. Etym: [OE. barbican, barbecan, F. barbacane, LL. barbacana, barbicana, of uncertain origin: cf. Ar. barbakh aqueduct, sewer. F. barbacane also means, an opening to let out water, loophole.]
1. ( Fort.) A tower or advanced work defending the entrance to a castle or city, as at a gate or bridge. It was often large and strong, having a ditch and drawbridge of its own.
2. An opening in the wall of a fortress, through which missiles were discharged upon an enemy.
Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition
Recent Word Finds
Word of the Day
17 September 2024
SPOT
(noun) a small contrasting part of something; “a bald spot”; “a leopard’s spots”; “a patch of clouds”; “patches of thin ice”; “a fleck of red”
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