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View synonyms for enfilade

enfilade

[ en-fuh-leyd, -lahd, en-fuh-leyd, -lahd ]

noun

  1. Military.
    1. a position of works, troops, etc., making them subject to a sweeping fire from along the length of a line of troops, a trench, a battery, etc.
    2. the fire thus directed.
  2. Architecture.
    1. an axial arrangement of doorways connecting a suite of rooms with a vista down the whole length of the suite.
    2. an axial arrangement of mirrors on opposite sides of a room so as to give an effect of an infinitely long vista.


verb (used with object)

, en·fi·lad·ed, en·fi·lad·ing.
  1. Military. to attack with an enfilade.

enfilade

/ ˌɛnfɪˈleɪd /

noun

  1. a position or formation subject to fire from a flank along the length of its front
“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


verb

  1. to subject (a position or formation) to fire from a flank
  2. to position (troops or guns) so as to be able to fire at a flank
“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
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Other Words From

  • un·enfi·laded adjective
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Word History and Origins

Origin of enfilade1

1695–1705; < French, equivalent to enfil ( er ) to thread, string ( en- en- 1 + -filer, derivative of fil < Latin fīlum thread) + -ade -ade 1
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Word History and Origins

Origin of enfilade1

C18: from French: suite, from enfiler to thread on string, from fil thread
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Example Sentences

As that big oblong crowd of Turks showed their left flank to Baikie's nine batteries they were swept in enfilade by shrapnel.

If successful, it was to enfilade the Wylie kopjes from that position.

In a gleam of sunshine, the variety of tints and lights thrown upon this enfilade, are uncommonly rich.

Meanwhile three Turkish brigs came to the rescue, and got into position so as to enfilade the beach.

They could thus, by firing eastwards from this redoubt, rake No Mans Land in direct enfilade.

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