counterscarp

American  

[koun-ter-skahrp] / ˈkaʊn tərˌskɑrp /

noun

Fortification.

1. the exterior slope or wall of the ditch of a fort, supporting the covered way.

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counterscarp British  

/ ˈkaʊntəˌskɑːp /

noun

1. fortifications the outer side of the ditch of a fort Compare escarp

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Etymology

Origin of counterscarp

1565–75; counter- + scarp ( def. ) (modeled on Italian contrascarpa ); replacing counterscarfe, with scarfe obsolete variant of scarp ( def. )

Example Sentences

At first it was customary, after the introduction of the counterscarp, to leave a narrow space on the top of it, behind the glacis, for a patrol path.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 10, Slice 6 "Foraminifera" to "Fox, Edward" by Various

A counterscarp of very solid construction is generally used.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 10, Slice 6 "Foraminifera" to "Fox, Edward" by Various

His mines will now be turned to a new purpose, viz. to breach the counterscarp and afterwards the escarp.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 10, Slice 6 "Foraminifera" to "Fox, Edward" by Various

The advantage of the additional obstacle of the counterscarp was thus lost to the defence.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 10, Slice 6 "Foraminifera" to "Fox, Edward" by Various

The wall was protected by a dry fosse, or ditch, twenty-five feet wide and about twenty feet deep; this, in turn, was guarded by a counterscarp and glacis.

From The Red Year A Story of the Indian Mutiny by Tracy, Louis