brattice: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Technical/Historical
Quick answer
What does “brattice” mean?
A temporary wooden partition or screen used in mining, especially to direct ventilation air or prevent the collapse of earth.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A temporary wooden partition or screen used in mining, especially to direct ventilation air or prevent the collapse of earth.
In historical contexts, can refer to a defensive wooden gallery or parapet on a castle wall.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Usage is identical and equally rare in both varieties. The term is technical/historical, not subject to regional variation in meaning.
Connotations
No difference in connotations; strongly associated with specialised fields.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in all general contexts. Slightly more likely to be encountered in UK historical texts about castles, and in mining manuals in both regions.
Grammar
How to Use “brattice” in a Sentence
erect/build/construct a bratticethe brattice directs/controls the airflowa brattice made of wood/clothVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “brattice” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The miners will brattice off the old tunnel to improve airflow.
American English
- We need to brattice that section before proceeding.
adjective
British English
- The brattice work was inspected by the safety officer.
American English
- They used brattice cloth for the temporary seal.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Used in historical archaeology papers on medieval military architecture and in mining engineering texts.
Everyday
Virtually never used.
Technical
The primary domain: mining engineering (ventilation control) and historical architecture (castle fortifications).
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “brattice”
- Misspelling as 'brattise' or 'bratic'.
- Using it as a general term for any wall.
- Pronouncing it as /brəˈtiːs/.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is a highly specialised term used almost exclusively in mining engineering and historical architecture.
Yes, though rare. In mining contexts, 'to brattice' means to erect or seal off an area with such a partition.
A brattice is typically a temporary, partition-like structure for a specific function (airflow, defence) and is often made of wood or cloth, not permanent masonry.
It is pronounced /ˈbrætɪs/ (BRAT-iss), with stress on the first syllable, in both British and American English.
A temporary wooden partition or screen used in mining, especially to direct ventilation air or prevent the collapse of earth.
Brattice is usually technical/historical in register.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “none”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'BRATtice' as a BRATty wall that tries to control where the air goes or where soldiers can walk in a castle.
Conceptual Metaphor
A BRATTICE IS A DIRECTIVE BOUNDARY (it directs airflow or movement).
Practice
Quiz
In a historical context, a 'brattice' most likely refers to: