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Glite Dictionary
abatis

abatis

1 9.9
A barrier of cut down trees or barbed wire facing an enemy
  • noun
  • /ˈæbəˌti/
  • Specialized
translation icon : abatis
  • abatis of sharpened branches

Examples

  • He hadn't shaved the abatis of stubble off.

    Fiction book (1992)

  • The soldiers built an abatis using fallen trees with sharp branches to protect their camp from enemy attacks.

  • During the battle, the troops found themselves behind an abatis, which provided crucial cover from enemy fire.

  • The commander instructed his men to reinforce the abatis with additional logs to make it more formidable against the advancing foes.

Synonyms

barricade
vsabatis
83 4.8

A barrier put up to block a road or entrance

is specifically built from fallen trees with sharpened branches facing attackers
stockade
vsabatis
5 7.9

A strong fence of close wooden posts to protect a place

is formed from felled trees with outward sharpened branches instead of upright posts
palisade
vsabatis
2 9.0

A strong fence of upright wooden or metal posts used for protection

is made from fallen trees laid to face the enemy rather than upright stakes
abattis
vsabatis
  • Archaic
9.9

A barrier of cut or standing trees with sharp branches and wire facing attackers to slow them

uses only felled trees with sharpened branches or barbed wire facing the enemy
palisading
vsabatis
9.1

A fence of strong wooden posts set close together to protect a place

uses fallen trees rather than upright stakes for a defensive barrier

Surface Forms

abatis singular
abatises plural

Etymology

The word abatis comes from the French abattre, which means 'to beat down' or 'to fell' a tree and from battre 'to beat', like the English word 'beat'. So an abatis is a defensive barrier made of felled trees with sharp branches facing the enemy.