contravallation

[ kon-truh-vuh-ley-shuhn ]

noun

, Fortification.

1. a more or less continuous chain of redoubts and breastworks raised by besiegers outside the line of circumvallation of a besieged place to protect the besiegers from attacks from the outside, as by a relieving force.

contravallation

/ ˌkɒntrəvəˈleɪʃən /

noun

1. fortifications built by besiegers around the place besieged

Word History and Origins

Origin of contravallation¹

1670–80; contra- ¹( def ) + vallation; compare French contrevallation, Italian contravvallazione

Word History and Origins

Origin of contravallation¹

C17: from contra- + Latin vallātiō entrenchment; compare French contrevallation

Example Sentences

On the 20th I continued working on the lines of contravallation, under a dreadful fire from the place.

From Project Gutenberg

Around the great tête de pont, he contented himself with raising a contravallation, which cut off the two roads.

From Project Gutenberg

Before help arrived, Anseric had had time to kill or put to flight all who were guarding the contravallation.

From Project Gutenberg

The old system of intrenched camps and lines of contravallation is unsuited to the spirit of modern warfare.

From Project Gutenberg

The other covered the siege, and secured himself from the allies by lines of contravallation.

From Project Gutenberg