ˈdrawbridge
Forms: see bridge.
[f. draw-: see also the earlier draught-bridge.]
1. A bridge hinged at one end and free at the other, which may be drawn up and let down so as to prevent or permit passage over it, or allow passage through the channel which it crosses.
The original form was the lifting drawbridge, used from early times to span the foss of a castle or fortification, or the inner part of it; also in more recent times to provide a passage over canals, dock-entrances, and other waterways; for this the form called a swing- or swivel-bridge, which revolves horizontally is often substituted: see also bascule. A drawbridge to permit the passage of vessels, sometimes forms a small section of a long permanent bridge.
| 13.. K. Alis. 1205 Heore drawbrugge they drowe ate. 1375 Barbour Bruce xvii. 757 Thai..a fyre had maid At the draw-brig, and brynt it doune. 1556 Chron. Gr. Friars (Camden) 87 Wyett..made a bulwarke at the bryge fotte..and dyd no harme there..for the brygge drawebrygge was drawne agayne hym. 1673 Ray Journ. Low C. 2 Before we came into the Town (Graveling) we passed over five Draw-Bridges. 1722 Lond. Gaz. No. 6053/1 The Draw-Bridge of the..Bridge of London will be taken up in order to lay down a new one. 1808 Scott Marm. vi. xv, The steed along the drawbridge flies, Just as it trembled on the rise. 1844 Regul. & Ord. Army 266 The Barriers are to be shut, Draw-Bridges drawn up. 1894 Westm. Gaz. 11 May 2/1 It is the surface of the ‘bascule’—the ‘drawbridge’ part of the bridge. |
2. A movable bridge or gangway on a ship, etc.
| 1856 S. C. Brees Gloss. Terms 183 The floating bridge..is a large flat-bottomed vessel..drawbridges are made at each end which let down and form roadways. 1878 R. B. Smith Carthage 93 The drawbridge..could be swung round the mast towards the point where the danger threatened, and..let fall..with its heavy weight upon the deck of the attacking ship. |
Hence ˈdrawbridged a., having a drawbridge.
| 1846 Dickens in Daily News 21 Jan. 6/5 Queer old towns, draw-bridged and walled. |