n. [ OF. porte coulisse, coleïce, a sliding door, fr. L. colare, colatum, to filter, to strain: cf. F. couler to glide. See Port a gate, and cf. Cullis, Colander. ] 1. (Fort.) A grating of iron or of timbers pointed with iron, hung over the gateway of a fortress, to be let down to prevent the entrance of an enemy. “Let the portcullis fall.” Sir W. Scott. [ 1913 Webster ]

She . . . the huge portcullis high updrew. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. 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. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Portcullised p. pr. & vb. n. Portcullising. ] To obstruct with, or as with, a portcullis; to shut; to bar. [ R. ] Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]