\Es*cu"ri*al\, n. [Prop. Sp. escorial, i. e., a hill or
heap of rubbish, earth, and stones brought out of a mine, fr.
escoria dross of metal, L. scoria, fr. Gr. ?. Cf. {Scoria}.]
A palace and mausoleum of the kinds of Spain, being a vast
and wonderful structure about twenty-five miles northwest of
Madrid.
Note: The ground plan is said to be in the form of a
      gridiron, the structure being designed in honor of St.
      Lawrence, who suffered martyrdom by being broiled on
      gridiron; but the resemblance is very slight. It is
      nearly square, inclosing several courts, and has a
      projecting mass which stands for the handle.