Por"tal (?), n. [OF. portal, F. portail, LL. portale, fr. L. porta a gate. See Port a gate.]



Thick with sparkling orient gems The portal shone. Milton.

From out the fiery portal of the east. Shak.

2. Arch. (a)

The lesser gate, where there are two of different dimensions.





3. Bridge Building



A prayer book or breviary; a portass.


Portal bracing Bridge Building, a combination of struts and ties which lie in the plane of the inclined braces at a portal, serving to transfer wind pressure from the upper parts of the trusses to an abutment or pier of the bridge.


© Webster 1913.

Por"tal (?), a. Anat.


Portal is applied to other veins which break up into capillaries; as, the renal portal veins in the frog.


© Webster 1913.