trenches

trench  (trnch)

n.

1. A deep furrow or ditch.

2. A long narrow ditch embanked with its own soil and used for concealment and protection in warfare.

3. A long, steep-sided valley on the ocean floor.

v. trenched, trench·ing, trench·es

v.tr.

1. To cut a trench in.

2. To fortify with trenches.

3. To place in a trench.

4. To make a cut in; carve.

v.intr.

1. To dig trenches or a trench.

2. To verge or encroach. Often used with on or upon.

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[Middle English trenche, from Old French, from trenchier, to cut, perhaps from Vulgar Latin *trincre, variant of Latin truncre, from truncus, trunk; see ter-² in Indo-European roots.]

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trenches [ˈtrɛntʃɪz]

pl n

(Military / Fortifications) a system of excavations used for the protection of troops, esp those (the Trenches) used at the front line in World War I