circumvallation
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English
Etymology
Borrowed from Latin circumvāllātiō¿By surface analysis, circumvallate + -ation.
Pronunciation
Noun
circumvallation (plural circumvallations)
- A rampart or other defensive entrenchment that entirely encircles the position being defended.
- Antonym: contravallation
- 1761, Laurence Sterne, The Life & Opinions of Tristram Shandy, Gentleman, volume 3, Penguin, published 2003, page 201:
- [...] and in a word, would intrench and fortify them round with as many circumvallations and breast-works, as my uncle Toby would a citadel.
- 1819, Walter Scott, Ivanhoe:
- The Saxon architect had exhausted his art in rendering the main keep defensible, and there was no other circumvallation than a rude barrier of palisades.
- 1901, Henry James, Flickerbridge:
- He just managed to finish her in time—the day before the date fixed for his breaking ground on a greater business still, the circumvallation of Mrs. Dunn.
Related terms
Translations
rampart
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