A portcullis is a strong gate above an entrance to a castle and used to be lowered to the ground in order to keep out enemies. a strong iron gate that can be lowered over the entrance of a castle
A heavy timber or metal grill that protected the castle entrance and could be raised or lowered from within the castle It dropped vertically between grooves to block passage or barbican, or to trap attackers
An English coin of the reign of Elizabeth, struck for the use of the East India Company; so called from its bearing the figure of a portcullis on the reverse