camouflet

[ kam-uh-fley, kam-uh-fley ]

noun

1. an underground explosion of a bomb or mine that does not break the surface, but leaves an enclosed cavity of gas and smoke.
2. the pocket formed by such an explosion.
3. the bomb or mine so exploded and causing such a pocket.

Word History and Origins

Origin of camouflet¹

1830–40; < French: literally, smoke blown in someone's face as a practical joke, Middle French chault moufflet, equivalent to chault hot (< Latin calidus ) + moufflet presumably “puff, breath”; compare Walloon dial. moufler to puff up the cheeks; 1st syllable probably conformed to the expressive formative ca- ( cabbage ¹ )

Example Sentences

This forms a small camouflet chamber by compressing the earth around it.

From Project Gutenberg

Working parties were heavy, and on one occasion the Bosche blew a camouflet while work was in progress.

From Project Gutenberg

The term camouflet is applied to a mine used to suffocate the enemy's miner, without producing an explosion.

From Project Gutenberg

We had five men buried by a camouflet—they began at once to recover the bodies.

From Project Gutenberg

When an enemy mine is being dug, a camouflet destroys it before completion.

From Project Gutenberg