1. plural of bascule; movable bridges or parts of bridges that can be raised and lowered, typically by counterweights
Usage: engineering; architecture

Examples

• The harbor has two bascules that open to allow tall ships to pass through.
• Engineers inspected the bascules for mechanical wear and tear.
• The city’s bascules are raised twice daily during peak boat traffic.
• Historic bascules from the early 1900s still operate in some ports.
• The bridge operator controls multiple bascules from a central tower.
• Heavy counterweights help the bascules move smoothly up and down.