abatis

ab·a·tis  (b-t, -ts)

n. pl. ab·a·tis (-tz) or ab·a·tis·es (-t-sz)

A defensive obstacle made by laying felled trees on top of each other with branches, sometimes sharpened, facing the enemy.

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[French, pile of things thrown down, from Old French abateis; akin to abattre, to throw down; see abate.]

Thesaurus

Noun

1.

abatis - a line of defense consisting of a barrier of felled or live trees with branches (sharpened or with barbed wire entwined) pointed toward the enemy abattis line of defence, line of defense - defensive structure consisting of a barrier that can be employed for defense against attack