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Showing results for bivouac. Search instead for Bivouacked.
Synonyms

bivouac

American  
[biv-oo-ak, biv-wak] / ˈbɪv uˌæk, ˈbɪv wæk /

noun

  1. a military encampment made with tents or improvised shelters, usually without shelter or protection from enemy fire.

  2. the place used for such an encampment.


verb (used without object)

bivouacked, bivouacking
  1. to rest or assemble in such an area; encamp.

bivouac British  
/ ˈbɪvwæk, ˈbɪvʊˌæk /

noun

  1. a temporary encampment with few facilities, as used by soldiers, mountaineers, etc

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

verb

  1. (intr) to make such an encampment

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of bivouac

1700–10; < French < Swiss German bīwacht auxiliary patrol, equivalent to bī- by- + wacht patrol, watch

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Kovacs said lifting Dickey will likely take several days, and that several bivouac points are being prepared along the way so that he and rescue teams can rest.

From Seattle Times • Sep. 7, 2023

The bivouac fell into a ravine, but no one happened to be in the building at the time.

From Scientific American • Apr. 3, 2023

"Many, we understand, are provided with or are providing themselves with tents and intend to bivouac in the fields."

From BBC • Aug. 12, 2022

And now comes the coronavirus, which has prompted people to bivouac in their homes, theaters to put in place social-distancing restrictions and studios to postpone most theatrical releases through the end of April.

From New York Times • Mar. 15, 2020

In a great circle, under the starry sky and the waxing moon, they now made their bivouac.

From "The Two Towers" by J. R. R. Tolkien