abatis

[ab-uh-tee, -tis, uh-bat-ee, uh-bat-is]

noun

plural

abatis, abatises 

1. an obstacle or barricade of trees with bent or sharpened branches directed toward an enemy.

2. a barbed wire entanglement used as an obstacle or barricade against an enemy.

abatis

/ ˈæbətiː, ˈæbətɪs /

noun

1. a rampart of felled trees bound together placed with their branches outwards

2. a barbed-wire entanglement before a position

Word History and Origins

Origin of abatis¹

1760–70; < French; Old French abateis < Vulgar Latin *abatteticius, derivative of Old French abattre ( abate )

Word History and Origins

Origin of abatis¹

C18: from French, from abattre to fell