abatis

American  

[ab-uh-tee, -tis, uh-bat-ee, uh-bat-is] / ˈæb əˌti, -tɪs, əˈbæt i, əˈbæt ɪs /

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.

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abatis British  

/ ˈæbətiː, ˈæbətɪs /

noun

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

2. a barbed-wire entanglement before a position

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Etymology

Origin of abatis

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

Example Sentences

The defenses consisted of two lines of abatis and a line of earthworks manned by Brig.

From Washington Post • Sep. 17, 2021

They took post behind an abatis at a place called La Belle Famille, and the Five Nation warriors placed themselves on their flanks.

From Historic Handbook of the Northern Tour by Parkman, Francis

From the fort the ground sloped in a heavy grade, from which the trees had been cut and used as abatis, and wire net-work was stretched between the stumps.

From From Manassas to Appomattox Memoirs of The Civil War in America by Longstreet, James

In front of our breastwork was a ditch, an abatis and a line of barbed wire entanglement.

From Personal Recollections of the Civil War By One Who Took Part in It as a Private Soldier in the 21st Volunteer Regiment of Infantry from Massachusetts by Stone, James Madison

"The impetuosity of the attack carried all before it, and within nine minutes from the time the abatis was passed the work was gained."

From Homes of American Statesmen With Anecdotical, Personal, and Descriptive Sketches by Various