[f. prec. sb.]
1. trans. To inclose or place in, or as in, a castle; also fig. † b. To inclose (a cistern, etc.) within a building (obs.; cf. CASTELLATED 2). Also castle up, etc.
1587. Fleming, Contn. Holinshed, III. 1354/1. The conducting of Thames water, cesterning the same in lead, and castelling with stone.
1611. Florio, Castellare, to encastle, to Castle.
1655. Gurnall, Chr. in Arm., Introd. iv. § 1 (1669), 13/2. Castle me in the arms of thy everlasting strength.
1704. Hearne, Duct. Hist. (1714), I. 449. The first Cistern Castled with Stone was the great Conduit in West-Cheap.
1792. W. Roberts, Looker-on, No. 30. After having castled himself up, as it were, in his own exclusive spirit.
1871. Browning, Pr. Hohenst., 116. Some fierce tribe, castled on the mountain peak.
† 2. To ornament with battlements or in imitation of a castle. Obs.
c. 1386. Chaucer, Pers. T., ¶ 371. Bake metes and dish metes … peynted and castelled with papir.
3. Chess. a. intr. To bring the castle or rook up to the square next the king, and move the king to the other side of the castle. Also said of the king.
1656. Beale, Chess, 8. He [the king] may change (or Castle) with this Rooke, that is, he may goe two draughts at once towards this Rooke … causing the Rooke to stand next to him on either side.
1820. Hoyle’s Games Impr., 210. If you have your choice on which side to castle.
1847. Staunton, Chess-pl. handbk., 19. If he castle on the Queen’s side, he plays his King to Q. B.’s square, and Q.’s rook to Q.’s sq. The object of this compound move is generally to place the royal Piece in safety, and at the same time bring the Rook … into better play.
1870. Hardy & Ware, Mod. Hoyle, Chess, 38. He can move only one square at a time, except when he castles, which he may do once during each game.
b. trans.
1820. Hoyle’s Games Impr., 202. If your game happens to be crowded, endeavour to free it by exchanges of pieces or pawns, and castle your king as soon as convenient.
1868. C. R. Markham, in Macm. Mag., No. 103. 87/2. The Abyssinian is allowed time to castle his king and take the pieces.
Hence Castling vbl. sb.
1813. Monthly Rev., LXXII. 355. His games are drawn up as if Castling was not in use.
1880. Boy’s own Bk., 586. Castling is a compound move of king and castle.
