bascule

/ˈbæskjuːl/

Meanings

noun

A counterbalanced structure having one end that rises as the other lowers

Examples :

"The drawbridge operated using a bascule system, allowing ships to pass underneath when the road deck was raised. "

noun

The portion of a breech-loading firearm that pivots open in order to allow access to the chamber.

Examples :

"The hunter carefully opened the bascule of his shotgun to load two shells. "

weapon part machine military

Related Words

drawbridge noun

/ˈdɹɔːbɹɪdʒ/

A hinged bridge which can be raised (to prevent its being crossed, as across a moat, or to allow watercraft to travel beneath it).

"The drawbridge was raised to prevent the enemy from crossing the moat surrounding the castle. "

loading verb

/ˈləʊ.dɪŋ/ /ˈloʊ.diŋ/

To put a load on or in (a means of conveyance or a place of storage).

"The dock workers refused to load the ship."

firearm noun

/ˈfaɪərɑːrm/ /ˈfaɪərɑːrm/

A personal weapon that uses explosive powder to propel a projectile often made of lead.

"The hunter carefully handled the firearm, knowing it contained explosive powder to propel the lead projectile. "

underneath noun

/ʌndəˈniθ/ /ʌndɚˈnið/

The lower surface or part of something.

"The underneath of the aircraft was painted blue."

structure noun

/ˈstɹʌktʃə(ɹ)/ /ˈstɹʌktʃɚ/

A cohesive whole built up of distinct parts.

"The birds had built an amazing structure out of sticks and various discarded items."

carefully adverb

/ˈkɛːfli/ /ˈkɛɹfli/

Sorrowfully.

"He listened carefully to his mother's concerns, feeling sorrowful about her disappointment. "

counterbalanced verb

/ˈkaʊntərˌbælənst/ /ˈkaʊntərˌbæln̩st/

To apply weight in order to balance an opposing weight.

"Big brother counterbalances his two siblings to the pound."

chamber noun

/ˈtʃeɪmbə(ɹ)/ /ˈtʃeɪmbɚ/

A room or set of rooms, particularly:

"The meeting was held in the large chamber of the school library. "

operated verb

/ˈɒpəreɪtɪd/ /ˈɑːpəreɪtɪd/

To perform a work or labour; to exert power or strength, physical or mechanical; to act.

"The baker operated the oven to bake the bread. "

shotgun noun

/ˈʃɒtɡʌn/ /ˈʃɑtɡʌn/

A gun which fires loads typically consisting of small metal balls, called shot, from a cartridge.

"Meat was cooked up within hours after the hunter killed the deer with his shotgun."

allowing verb

/əˈlaʊɪŋ/

To grant, give, admit, accord, afford, or yield; to let one have.

"to allow a servant his liberty; to allow a free passage; to allow one day for rest"

portion noun

/ˈpoəɹʃən/ /ˈpɔːʃən/ /ˈpɔɹʃən/

An allocated amount.

"The recipe called for a specific portion of flour, not the entire bag. "