[Fr., dim. of barbe beard: see -ETTE.] A platform or mound of earth within a fortification, on which guns are raised so that they can be fired over the parapet. Guns en barbette, barbette gun or battery: those so mounted as to fire over the parapet; similarly in ironclad ships (see quot. 1876). Hence attrib., as in barbette-cruiser, -turret.
1772. Simes, Mil. Guide. When the parapet of a work is only of such a height that the guns may fire over it without being obliged to make embrasures, it is said the guns fire en Barbet.
1822. Byron, Juan, VII. xii. Two batteries … Casemated one, and t’other ‘a barbette.’
1872. C. King, Mountain. Sierra Nev., vii. 151. A huge slab pointed out like a barbette gun.
1876. Daily News, 5 May, 6/1. A ‘barbette’ battery … is a battery of guns exposed on the upper deck, but enclosed in a fixed turret, which only partially … protects the guns and the gunners.
1884. Pall Mall Gaz., 2 Dec., 2/2. A twin-screw barbette cruiser.
