0 a strong gate made of bars with points at the bottom that hangs above the entrance to a castle and in the past was brought down to the ground in order to close the entrance against enemies
I can assure him that this matter has given us a great deal of thought, and that we have not, as it were, brought down a portcullis upon further thought.
Now it is a portcullis.
The portcullis which should clang against such a proposal would simply be opened from within by a posse of pay clerks.
We are hesitant about the portcullis being used on souvenirs for sale outside the building.
That diary bears the name of this place, has the portcullis on the cover and is sold here.
The portcullis and all our proceedings have to be seen to be entirely above board and free of even the most indirect taint of corruption.
Data bank information must have a moat and portcullis as well.
It would cross the portcullis of this place with a most sinister and destructive bar.