Definitions
from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.
- noun A
staircase in the form of ahelix .
Etymologies
Sorry, no etymologies found.
Support
Help support Wordnik (and make this page ad-free) by adopting the word spiral staircase.
Examples
Sorry, no example sentences found.
chained_bear commented on the word spiral staircase
In castle architecture, "a compact staircase often built into the walls of castles. Usually designed so that attackers climbing a clockwise staircase would find it hard to fight with their right hand, whilst descending defenders would have their right (sword) arm free." Other names are corkscrew stairs and turnpike.
August 27, 2008
frindley commented on the word spiral staircase
It's interesting that to this day nearly all spiral staircases are still built to ascend in a clockwise manner, thus allowing modern men and women to keep their sword arms free.
I find this appealing even though my prowess in fencing is strictly limited to the balestra, a move of which I'm especially fond.
August 27, 2008
chained_bear commented on the word spiral staircase
Fencing! Dude! I used to fence in college (don't anymore) but my S.O. and friends started (practically) a local fencing club. Do you still fence? Do you have any fencing lists? (Like, ones I can pillage?) :)
*wonders if she should move this over to fencing*
August 27, 2008
reesetee commented on the word spiral staircase
And don't think we're not grateful for the ability to keep one's sword arm free while ascending a spiral staircase, frindley. ;-)
August 27, 2008
yarb commented on the word spiral staircase
I wonder if special left-handed shock troops were ever trained for the purpose of fighting up spiral staircases?
August 27, 2008
frindley commented on the word spiral staircase
Descending, reesetee, descending. The ascending pillagers are meant to be hampered by the clockwise orientation, while you, the worthy householder, are permitted to descend with sword a-flashing and a-slashing.
c_b: consider it moved, with more shocking revelations from the frindley past…
August 28, 2008
reesetee commented on the word spiral staircase
Well, this explains everything. I'm left-handed, you see.
August 28, 2008
frindley commented on the word spiral staircase
You are perfectly equipped to be a marauder then!
August 28, 2008
reesetee commented on the word spiral staircase
*brightens* Oh! Well, off I go!
*marauds*
August 28, 2008
chained_bear commented on the word spiral staircase
What a fine, fine verb, is maraud.
August 29, 2008