FromFrenchcasemate, fromItaliancasamatta. Further origin unclear, could be a compoundcasa(“house”) +matta(“mat (of straw), roof made of such material”), or borrowed fromGreekχάσματα(chásmata) the plural ofχάσμα(chásma,“gap”), presumably referring to theloopholes for shooting from.[1]
casemate (pluralcasemates)
- (military) Abombproofchamber, usually ofmasonry, in whichcannon may be placed, to befired throughembrasures; or one capable of being used as amagazine, or forquarteringtroops.
- (architecture) Ahollowmolding, chiefly incornices.
bombproof chamber as part of fortification
- ^Klein, Dr. Ernest, A Comprehensive Etymological Dictionary of the English Language, Amsterdam: Elsevier Scientific Publishing Co., 1971, page=245
Borrowed fromItaliancasamatta.
casemate f (pluralcasemates)
- pillbox,blockhouse
