contravallation

American  

[kon-truh-vuh-ley-shuhn] / ˌkɒn trə vəˈleɪ ʃən /

noun

Fortification.

1. a more or less continuous chain of redoubts and breastworks raised by besiegers outside the line of circumvallation of a besieged place to protect the besiegers from attacks from the outside, as by a relieving force.

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contravallation British  

/ ˌkɒntrəvəˈleɪʃən /

noun

1. fortifications built by besiegers around the place besieged

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Etymology

Origin of contravallation

1670–80; contra- ¹ ( def. ) + vallation; compare French contrevallation, Italian contravvallazione

Example Sentences

The old system of intrenched camps and lines of contravallation is unsuited to the spirit of modern warfare.

From Elements of Military Art and Science Or, Course Of Instruction In Strategy, Fortification, Tactics Of Battles, &C.; Embracing The Duties Of Staff, Infantry, Cavalry, Artillery, And Engineers; Adapted To The Use Of Volunteers And Militia; Third Edition; With Critical Notes On The Mexican And Crimean Wars. by Halleck, Henry Wager

These continuous lines of circumvallation and contravallation were used only in the days of small armies and small fortresses, and both terms are now obsolete.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 6, Slice 4 "Cincinnatus" to "Cleruchy" by Various

Formerly the false system prevailed of encircling a city by a whole army, which buried itself in lines of circumvallation and contravallation.

From The Art of War by Mendell, George Henry

On the 20th I continued working on the lines of contravallation, under a dreadful fire from the place.

From The Great Events by Famous Historians, Volume 13 by Rudd, John

It is a line of circumvallation against the loose, unorganized wickedness of the private ruffian; a line of contravallation also against the organized wickedness of the public government.

From Speeches, Addresses, and Occasional Sermons, Volume 3 (of 3) by Parker, Theodore