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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.


counterscarp British  
/ ˈkaʊntəˌskɑːp /

noun

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

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of counterscarp

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

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

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

If not interfered with by the defenders the besieger can advance in this way until he reaches the counterscarp.

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

To facilitate sorties in great force he did away with a counterscarp wall, providing instead a long gentle slope from the bottom of the ditch to the crest of the glacis.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 5, Slice 4 "Carnegie Andrew" to "Casus Belli" by Various

The counterscarp is not revetted if the ditch is wet.

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

I continued along the counterscarp of the cliff, until I had reached the edge of the lateral ravine leading out from the river valley.

From The Guerilla Chief And other Tales by Reid, Mayne

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