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

The main front is broken back to flank the faces of the bastion from casemates behind the escarp, as well as from the parapet.

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

The escarp of the body of the place is a simple detached wall; that of the detached bastion is either a detached wall with piers and arches, or a counter-arched revetment.

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

The ladders were immediately seized by their comrades, who, after one or two vain attempts, succeeded in placing them against the escarp.

From Forty-one years in India From Subaltern To Commander-In-Chief by Roberts, Frederick Sleigh

Beyond the counterscarp wall some of the earth excavated from the ditch was piled up to increase the protection given to the escarp wall.

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

In fortification, the horizontal moulding of masonry along the top of the true escarp.

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