circumvallation

American  

[ser-kuhm-va-lay-shuhn] / ˌsər kəm væˈleɪ ʃən /

noun

plural

circumvallations

1. the act or process of surrounding a position with a fortification, or circumvallating.

2. a fortification, especially one made of earth, surrounding an area for protection; rampart.

---

Example Sentences

Also, sometimes used for lines of circumvallation or blockade, or any connected chain of troops or even sentries.

From The Sailor's Word-Book An Alphabetical Digest of Nautical Terms, including Some More Especially Military and Scientific, but Useful to Seamen; as well as Archaisms of Early Voyagers, etc. by Belcher, Edward, Sir

It had been a desperate combat of mine and counter-mine even where the general circumvallation of the town was concerned, though the worst, of course, was to come when the citadel should be attacked.

From Malplaquet by Belloc, Hilaire

On the surrender of the town, no time was lost in prosecuting operations against the citadel, and the line of circumvallation was traced out that very evening.

From Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine, Volume 60, No. 369, July 1846 by Various

Each apartment, though not much larger than a mastiff’s kennel, has its own particular enclosure, or court-yard; generally erected in such a manner, as to become a species of circumvallation to the whole portable hamlet.

From A Historical Survey of the Customs, Habits, & Present State of the Gypsies by Hoyland, John

With six legions he drove them to the extremity of the Bruttian peninsula, and shut them up in Rhegium by strong lines of circumvallation.

From Ancient States and Empires by Lord, John