abatis

American  

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

noun

abatis, plural abatises plural

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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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• abatis
  plural
• abatises
  plural

Etymology

Origin of abatis

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

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

abatis

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

From Washington Post ● Sep. 17, 2021

The works were strengthened and surrounded by an abatis.

From Vermont A Study of Independence by Robinson, Rowland E. (Evans)

At this moment a great explosion shook the abatis, and a hoarse voice was heard crying out, "Ah, my God!"

From The Invasion of France in 1814 by Chatrian, Alexandre

Following up the blow, they forced them to fly, in great confusion, over the abatis, and into the swamp.

From Some Account of the Public Life of the Late Lieutenant-General Sir George Prevost, Bart. Particularly of his Services in the Canadas, including a reply to the strictures on his Military Character, Contained in an Article in The Quareterly Review by Brenton, E. B.

The men, without waiting for the sappers to demolish the abatis in regular style, pushed them aside or pulled them down with their hands, and scrambled over, like rough bush-fighters.

From The Student's Life of Washington; Condensed from the Larger Work of Washington Irving For Young Persons and for the Use of Schools by Irving, Washington