glacis

[ gley-sis, glas-is ]

noun

, plural gla·cis [gley, -seez, -siz, glas, -eez, -iz], gla·cis·es.

1. a gentle slope.
2. Fortification. a bank of earth in front of the counterscarp or covered way of a fort, having an easy slope toward the field or open country.

glacis

/ ˈɡlæsɪs; ˈɡlæsɪ; ˈɡleɪ- /

noun

1. a slight incline; slope
2. an open slope in front of a fortified place
3. short for glacis plate

Word History and Origins

Origin of glacis¹

1665–75; < Middle French; akin to Old French glacier to slide; compare Latin glaciāre to make into ice; glacé

Word History and Origins

Origin of glacis¹

C17: from French, from Old French glacier to freeze, slip, from Latin glaciāre, from glaciēs ice

Example Sentences

In six days they completed the parapet, with a glacis on the opposite side.

From Project Gutenberg

The opposing lines of trenches go down the slope, much as usual, with the enemy line above on a slight natural glacis.

From Project Gutenberg

It was like the escarped rampart of a stupendous fortress, whose glacis was the beach, and whose champaign the ocean.

From Project Gutenberg

It is defended by a castle with ditches glacis, and by a double wall, which in some parts is triple.

From Project Gutenberg

Hamos (Hems) is a good town, well inclosed with walls and ditches "en glacis," situated in a plain on the banks of a small river.

From Project Gutenberg