contravallation

American  

[kon-truh-vuh-ley-shuhn] / ˌkɒn trə vəˈleɪ ʃən /

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.

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contravallation British  

/ ˌkɒntrəvəˈleɪʃən /

noun

1. fortifications built by besiegers around the place besieged

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Etymology

Origin of contravallation

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

Example Sentences

Contravallation, kon-tra-val-ā′shun, n. a fortification built by besiegers about the place invested.

From Project Gutenberg

Lines of Circumvallation and Contravallation.—These now obsolete terms were in great use until the 19th century.

From Project Gutenberg

It is a line of circumvallation against the loose, unorganized wickedness of the private ruffian; a line of contravallation also against the organized wickedness of the public government.

From Project Gutenberg

“Lines of Contravallation” were similar works by which the besieger protected himself against the attack of a relieving army from any quarter.

From Project Gutenberg

These continuous lines of circumvallation and contravallation were used only in the days of small armies and small fortresses, and both terms are now obsolete.

From Project Gutenberg