escarp

es·carp

 (ĭ-skärp′)

n.

1. A steep slope or cliff; an escarpment.

2. The inner wall of a ditch or trench dug around a fortification.

tr.v. es·carped, es·carp·ing, es·carps

1. To cause to form a steep slope.

2. To furnish with an escarp.

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[French escarpe, from Italian scarpa; see scarp.]

escarp

(ɪˈskɑːp)

n

(Fortifications) fortifications the inner side of the ditch separating besiegers and besieged. Compare counterscarp

vb

(Physical Geography) a rare word for scarp³

[C17: from French escarpe; see scarp]

es•carp

(ɪˈskɑrp)

n.

1. the inner slope or wall of the ditch surrounding a rampart.

2. any similar steep slope.

[1680–90; < French, Middle French escarpe < Italian scarpa < Germanic; see scarp]

escarp

Past participle: escarped
Gerund: escarping

Imperative

escarp

escarp

Thesaurus

Noun

1.

escarp - a steep artificial slope in front of a fortification protective embankment, scarp, escarpment fortification, munition - defensive structure consisting of walls or mounds built around a stronghold to strengthen it