enfilade Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun gunfire directed along the length rather than the breadth of a formation
    enfilade fire.
  2. verb rake or be in a position to rake with gunfire in a lengthwise direction

WordNet

En`fi*lade" noun
Etymology
F., fr. enfiler to thread, go trough a street or square, rake with shot; pref. en- (L. in) + fil thread. See File a row.
Definitions
  1. A line or straight passage, or the position of that which lies in a straight line. R.
  2. (Mil.) A firing in the direction of the length of a trench, or a line of parapet or troops, etc.; a raking fire.
En`fi*lade" transitive verb
Wordforms
imperfect & past participle Enfiladed; present participle & verbal noun Enfilading
Definitions
  1. (Mil.) To pierce, scour, or rake with shot in the direction of the length of, as a work, or a line of troops. Campbell.

Webster 1913