Plural of bascule; multiple tilting structures, mechanisms, or bridges that can raise and lower.
From French 'bascule,' with English plural 's.' The term gained popularity with industrial and modern architecture, particularly in urban bridge design.
Cities with multiple rivers—like Chicago, London, and Amsterdam—have dozens of these 'bascules' to allow ships to pass while keeping traffic moving; it's one of engineering's most elegant solutions.
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