Parapet (Ital. para-petto, from parare, 'to protect,' and petto, 'the breast'), a wall raised higher than the gutter of a roof for protection; in military works, for defence against missiles from without (see FORTIFICATION); in domestic buildings, churches, &c., to prevent accident by falling from the roof. In classic architecture balustrades were used as parapets. In early work parapets are generally plain, but in later buildings they are pierced and ornamented with tracery.