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Glite Dictionary
trace italienne

trace italienne

9.9
A type of fortress design with many triangular outer walls that let defenders' guns cover each other
  • noun
  • /træs ɪˈtæljən/
  • Specialized
translation icon : traza italiana
  • The fortress was rebuilt in the trace italienne style to withstand artillery attacks.

Examples

  • A well-preserved trace italienne can still be seen surrounding the old city.

  • Architects adopted the trace italienne system throughout Europe during the Renaissance.

  • The city was fortified using trace italienne designs.

  • Many European cities adopted the trace italienne style.

  • The fortress was rebuilt in the trace italienne style to withstand artillery attacks.

  • Architects adopted the trace italienne system throughout Europe during the Renaissance.

  • Many European cities adopted the trace italienne style for improved defense.

Synonyms

star fort
vstrace italienne
  • Specialized
1 9.9

A strong defensive place with pointed walls that stick out like a star

is the general Italian design name not this simpler fortress phrase
star-shaped fortress
vstrace italienne
  • Specialized
9.9

A fortress with pointed outer walls like a star so defenders can fire on attackers from many directions

is the broader Italian style name for such bastioned fortifications developed mid fifteenth century
star fortress
vstrace italienne
  • Specialized
9.9

A fort with triangular walls pointing outwards that form a star shape to protect it

is the wider Italian style term rather than this specific fortress label
bastion fort
vstrace italienne
9.9

A fort with triangular walls that stick out so defenders can cover all sides

is the historical Italian style name encompassing these bastion based fortifications

Surface Forms

trace italienne singular
trace italiennes plural

Morphology

trace + italienne

The phrase is a French borrowing where 'trace' can be interpreted as an outline or plan and 'italienne' signals an Italian origin, so a learner might guess it refers to an Italian style or design. However the precise technical sense — a specific type of fortification with projecting bastions and overlapping fields of fire — is specialized and not predictable from the constituents alone, making the expression only partially transparent to a B1 learner.

Etymology

Trace italienne, from French trace + italienne, literally means 'Italian plan'. It names a star-like fort design with low, thick walls and many pointed projections so defenders could fire along the walls and stop cannon attacks.