abatis Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun 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
    abattis.

WordNet

Ab"a*tis, Aba"t*tis noun (Also<
  • Abatis
  • Abattis
)
Etymology
F. abatis, abattis, mass of things beaten or cut down, fr. abattre. See Abate.
Definitions
  1. (Fort.) A means of defense formed by felled trees, the ends of whose branches are sharpened and directed outwards, or against the enemy.

Webster 1913