ambush

[am-boosh]

noun

1. an act or instance of lying concealed so as to attack by surprise.

   The highwaymen waited in ambush near the road.

2. an act or instance of attacking unexpectedly from a concealed position.

3. the concealed position itself.

   They fired from ambush.

4. those who attack suddenly and unexpectedly from a concealed position.

verb (used with object)

1. to attack from ambush.

ambush

/ ˈæmbʊʃ /

noun

1. the act of waiting in a concealed position in order to launch a surprise attack

2. a surprise attack from such a position

3. the concealed position from which such an attack is launched

4. the person or persons waiting to launch such an attack

verb

1. to lie in wait (for)

2. (tr) to attack suddenly from a concealed position

Other Word Forms

• ambusher noun
• ambushlike adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of ambush¹

1250–1300; (v.) Middle English enbuss ( h ) en < Middle French embuschier to place men in ambush, literally, to set in the woods, equivalent to em- im- ¹ + busch- (< Vulgar Latin *busca wood, forest < Germanic *busk- heavy stick) + -ier infinitive suffix; (noun) earlier enbusshe < Middle French embusche, derivative of the v.

Word History and Origins

Origin of ambush¹

C14: from Old French embuschier to position in ambush, from em- _im- + -buschier, from busche piece of firewood, probably of Germanic origin; see _bush ¹

Example Sentences

She flashes a rosy smile before turning away and finding a new dance partner to ambush.

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In one case, human footprints appear alongside deer tracks created at the same time, supporting the idea of pursuit or ambush activity within the dune environment.

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Many years later, Enrile gave differing statements on that key event, saying at one point the claimed ambush was made up, and then writing in his memoir that it had actually happened.

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He ambushed Ramaphosa in the Oval office earlier this year, playing a video in which he alleged a campaign against white farmers by the post-apartheid government.

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As he came off the stage, Charlie ambushed him and asked him if maybe Wachovia didn’t want to put its money where its mouth was and sell him some credit default swaps.

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Related Words

• assault 
• surround 
• trap 
• waylay