A parapet is a protection that is installed to prevent someone or something from falling from a high place.
A parapet is the wall or protection that is installed with the intention of preventing something from falling from a bridge, balcony or other elevated structure. Determining the etymological origin of this term used in the field of architecture leads us to establish that it derives from the Italian parapetto , which was used to refer to the protection of the chest of soldiers.
The objective of including a parapet in a construction is to minimize the possibility of a human being , an animal or some object precipitating and falling due to an unevenness. The parapet may take the form of a railing , a balustrade , or another type of structure.
Wooden parapets and even masonry parapets are also instruments used to prevent anyone from falling.
Features of a parapet
To provide protection , the parapet must meet certain requirements. It has to be well fixed to the main structure and be able to withstand a lot of pressure, for example.
Its height must also be adequate to minimize the risk of accidentally falling when looking out.
A balustrade and a railing are types of parapets.
The term in the military context
Within a military context, a parapet is a type of embankment that is created to protect a campaign. It is a small embankment, built on top of a larger one, which protects the combatants' chests against enemy attacks.
At first, these types of parapets were made with stone . However, with the passage of time and due to the need to be able to better resist enemy attacks, they began to be built with earth. In the same way, with their evolution they stood up using both earth and cement . And, in this last way, its resistance was achieved even greater.
To increase its effectiveness, the parapet has been preceded by a moat and has cement elevations between the earth that allow it to increase its resistance capacity.
Other uses of the parapet concept
Fans of role-playing games also frequently resort to using the term in question. In your case, parapet refers to the screen used by the game director with the clear objective of preventing participants from seeing what elements he is going to use during the game.
In the same way, this parapet is also useful in hidden dice rolls, so that they are not seen by those who should not, and even to show on its reverse side various aids and tables that are very important for players in a certain moment.
It should be noted that the verb parapetar , finally, refers to protecting something with a parapet or with something that replaces this element. On a symbolic level, to take cover is to take cover: "When I take cover on that corner, I hear the shooting start and I decide to throw myself to the ground."