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

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

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

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The line of contravallation was the line of parapet and trench sometimes made by the besieger all round the town he was attacking, to check the sorties of the garrison.

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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.

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

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