contravallation

noun

con·​tra·​vallation

¦kän‧trə+

plural -s

: a series of works confronting the walls of an invested place to isolate the defenders and safeguard the besiegers against sallies

also : construction of such works

Word History

Etymology

modification (influenced by Latin contra-) of French contrevallation, from contre- (from Latin contra-) + Late Latin vallation-, vallatio rampart, entrenchment

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