ambush Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun the act of concealing yourself and lying in wait to attack by surprise
    lying in wait; ambuscade; trap.
  2. verb wait in hiding to attack
    scupper; lie in wait; lurk; bushwhack; waylay; ambuscade.
  3. verb hunt (quarry) by stalking and ambushing
    still-hunt.

WordNet

Am"bush noun
Etymology
F. embûche, fr. the verb. See Ambush, v. t.
Definitions
  1. A disposition or arrangement of troops for attacking an enemy unexpectedly from a concealed station. Hence: Unseen peril; a device to entrap; a snare.
    Heaven, whose high walls fear no assault or siege Or ambush from the deep. Milton.
  2. A concealed station, where troops or enemies lie in wait to attack by surprise.
    Bold in close ambush, base in open field. Dryden.
  3. The troops posted in a concealed place, for attacking by surprise; liers in wait. Obs.
    The ambush arose quickly out of their place. Josh. viii. 19.
Am"bush transitive verb
Etymology
OE. enbussen, enbushen, OF. embushier, embuissier, F. embûcher, embusquer, fr. LL. imboscare; in + LL. boscus, buscus, a wood; akin to G. bush, E. bush. See Ambuscade, Buh.
Wordforms
imperfect & past participle Ambushed present participle & verbal noun Ambushing
Definitions
  1. To station in ambush with a view to surprise an enemy.
    By ambushed men behind their temple ai, We have the king of Mexico betrayed. Dryden.
  2. To attack by ambush; to waylay.
Am"bush intransitive verb
Definitions
  1. To lie in wait, for the purpose of attacking by surprise; to lurk.
    Nor saw the snake that ambushed for his prey. Trumbull.

Webster 1913