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

See Examples For:

contravallation

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 John Rudd

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 Henry Wager Halleck

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 Theodore Parker

The lines of contravallation, with the forts built by the besiegers, and which surrounded the whole town, remain very visible in many places; but the chief of them are demolished.

From Tour through Eastern Counties of England, 1722 by Daniel Defoe

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