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Glite Dictionary
trou-de-loup

trou-de-loup

9.9
A sloping pit with a pointed stick in the middle to stop enemy soldiers
  • noun
  • /truː də luː/
  • Archaic
translation icon : trinchera
  • The defenders prepared a series of trous-de-loup along the outer perimeter of the fort.

Examples

  • Engineers constructed trous-de-loup overnight to slow the enemy's advance.

  • The soldiers dug a trou-de-loup to protect their camp.

  • During the siege, the army fell into several trous-de-loup concealed in the grass.

  • During the battle, they fell into a trou-de-loup.

  • During the siege, the army fell into several trous-de-loup concealed in the grass.

  • Engineers constructed trous-de-loup overnight to slow the enemy's advance.

  • The defenders prepared a series of trous-de-loup along the outer perimeter of the fort.

Synonyms

cheval-de-frise
vstrou-de-loup
  • Specialized
9.9

A frame with many long spikes used to stop horses or soldiers from getting through

is the same device but named in singular form
chevaux-de-frise
vstrou-de-loup
  • Archaic
9.9

A movable wooden frame with spikes that stops soldiers or horses

is the same device but named in plural form

Surface Forms

trou-de-loup singular
trou-de-loups plural

Etymology

The word trou-de-loup comes from French words trou and loup, which mean 'hole' and 'wolf'. It was first used for a pit to catch wolves, so today it names a sloping pit with a pointed stake used to trap or slow enemy troops.