gabion
[gey-bee-uh n]
- a cylinder of wickerwork filled with earth, used as a military defense.
- a metal cylinder filled with stones and sunk in water, used in laying the foundations of a dam or jetty.
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Origin of gabion
1570–80; < Middle French: rough, two-handled basket < Italian gabbione, augmentative of gabbia cage < Latin cavea cavity, cage
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Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for gabion
Historical Examples
"Captain Gabion, I'll trouble you for a dollar," said the Major.
Our disquisition was interrupted by the approach of Captain Gabion.
My eye glanced round the apartment, and lighted on the pinched features and pallid visage of Captain Gabion.
You came to me with an anxious inquiry respecting your wounded cousin; I spoke to you of Captain Gabion.
Captain Gabion challenged Hookey, who, alone of the three, performed correctly.
gabion
- a cylindrical metal container filled with stones, used in the construction of underwater foundations
- a wickerwork basket filled with stones or earth, used (esp formerly) as part of a fortification
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Word Origin
C16: from French: basket, from Italian gabbione, from gabbia cage, from Latin cavea; see cage
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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