defilade

[ def-uh-leyd ]
/ ˌdɛf əˈleɪd /

noun

protection or shielding from hostile ground observation and flat projecting fire provided by an artificial or natural obstacle, as a hill.

verb (used with object), def·i·lad·ed, def·i·lad·ing.

to shield from enemy fire by using natural or artificial obstacles.

Origin of defilade

1820–30; < French défil(er), orig. to unthread (equivalent to dé- dis-1 + ( en)filer to thread ≪ Latin fīlum thread) + French -ade -ade1

Example sentences from the Web for defilade

British Dictionary definitions for defilade

defilade
/ (ˌdɛfɪˈleɪd) military /

noun

protection provided by obstacles against enemy crossfire from the rear, or observation
the disposition of defensive fortifications to produce this protection

verb (tr)

to provide protection for by defilade

Word Origin for defilade

C19: see de-, enfilade