embattle
1 Americanverb (used with object)
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to arrange in order of battle; prepare for battle; arm.
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to fortify (a town, camp, etc.).
verb (used with object)
verb
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to deploy (troops) for battle
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to strengthen or fortify (a position, town, etc)
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to provide (a building) with battlements
Etymology
Origin of embattle1
1350–1400; Middle English embatailen < Middle French embataillier. See em- 1, battle 1
Origin of embattle2
First recorded in 1350–1400, embattle is from the Middle English word embatailen. See em- 1, battle 2
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.
Those raids have further threatened a health care system in the embattle territory that is struggling to cope with the fallout from the war.
From Seattle Times • Jan. 30, 2024
Hunting out two aggressive spiders, he would embattle them and watch with glee through a magnifying glass.
From Time Magazine Archive
She feared he would vent plain speech that would cut Mr. Feuerstein's sensitive soul and embattle his dignity and pride against his love.
From The Fortune Hunter by Phillips, David Graham
The ‘licentia crenellare’ of the middle ages was the sovereign’s permission to his nobles to embattle or fortify their mansions.
From The Curiosities of Heraldry by Lower, Mark Antony
If we be not reliev'd within this hour, We must return to thecourt of guard: the night Is shiny; and they say we shall embattle By the second hour i' the morn.
From Antony and Cleopatra by Shakespeare, William
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
