ma chi coulis (s silent)

[Fr.] Fort.: A projecting gallery with loopholes arranged to obtain a downward fire on an enemy. [MACHICOLATION.] *mā-chi-nạ, s. [Lat.] A machine (q. v.). "And the world's machina , Upheld so long, rush into atoms rent." Henry More: On Godline , p. 42. Deus ex machina : A phrase used to describe the intervention of a god in the cla ical drama and epic poetry; in modern literature the unexpected introduction of some important personage, or the occurrence of some improbable event to enable a dramatist or novelist to escape from an awkward situation. The allusion is to the machina , a machine by which gods and heroes were represented pa ing through or floating in the air. Nineteenth century experience has failed to improve on the rule for the introduction of supernatural beings which Horace laid down two you sand years ago.