escarp

American  

[ih-skahrp] / ɪˈskɑrp /

noun

1. Fortification. the inner slope or wall of the ditch surrounding a rampart.

2. any similar steep slope.

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verb (used with object)

1. to make into an escarp; give a steep slope to; furnish with escarps.

escarp British  

/ ɪˈskɑːp /

noun

1. fortifications the inner side of the ditch separating besiegers and besieged Compare counterscarp

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verb

1. a rare word for scarp

Etymology

Origin of escarp

1680–90; < French, Middle French escarpe < Italian scarpa < Germanic; see scarp

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

escarp

They have no ditches, but an escarp of ten feet in the lava.

From The Life of Gordon, Volume I by Boulger, Demetrius Charles

In fortification, the outer side of the ditch next the country; it is usually of less height, and less strongly revetted than the escarp, the side which forms the face of the rampart.

From The Sailor's Word-Book An Alphabetical Digest of Nautical Terms, including Some More Especially Military and Scientific, but Useful to Seamen; as well as Archaisms of Early Voyagers, etc. by Belcher, Edward, Sir

In fortification, a projecting turret on the top of the escarp, whence a sentry may observe the outside of the rampart.

From The Sailor's Word-Book An Alphabetical Digest of Nautical Terms, including Some More Especially Military and Scientific, but Useful to Seamen; as well as Archaisms of Early Voyagers, etc. by Belcher, Edward, Sir

This was called “crowning” the covered way, 710 and on the position thus gained breaching batteries were established in full view of the escarp.

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

The ditch has no escarp or counterscarp, and is flanked by counterscarp galleries at the salient.

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