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abatis
(redirected from abatises)

   Also found in: Encyclopedia, Wikipedia, Hutchinson 0.01 sec.
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.

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

abatis, abattis [ˈæbətɪs ˈæbətiː]
n Fortifications
1. (Military / Fortifications) a rampart of felled trees bound together placed with their branches outwards
2. (Military / Fortifications) a barbed-wire entanglement before a position
[from French, from abattre to fell]
ThesaurusLegend:  Synonyms Related Words Antonyms
Noun1.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 enemyabatis - 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
line of defence, line of defense - defensive structure consisting of a barrier that can be employed for defense against attack


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The Canadians' defences were herring-boned lines of trenches, backed up by abatises.
 
 
 
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