enfilade
[ en-fuh-leyd, -lahd, en-fuh-leyd, -lahd ]
/ ˈɛn fəˌleɪd, -ˌlɑd, ˌɛn fəˈleɪd, -ˈlɑd /
noun
Military.
- a position of works, troops, etc., making them subject to a sweeping fire from along the length of a line of troops, a trench, a battery, etc.
- the fire thus directed.
Architecture.
- an axial arrangement of doorways connecting a suite of rooms with a vista down the whole length of the suite.
- an axial arrangement of mirrors on opposite sides of a room so as to give an effect of an infinitely long vista.
verb (used with object), en·fi·lad·ed, en·fi·lad·ing.
Military.
to attack with an enfilade.
Origin of enfilade
OTHER WORDS FROM enfilade
un·en·fi·lad·ed, adjectiveWords nearby enfilade
enfeoff,
enfetter,
enfever,
enfield,
enfield rifle,
enfilade,
enfin,
enflame,
enfleurage,
enflurane,
enfold
Example sentences from the Web for enfilade
British Dictionary definitions for enfilade
enfilade
/ (ˌɛnfɪˈleɪd) military /
noun
a position or formation subject to fire from a flank along the length of its front
verb (tr)
to subject (a position or formation) to fire from a flank
to position (troops or guns) so as to be able to fire at a flank
Word Origin for enfilade
C18: from French: suite, from
enfiler to thread on string, from
fil thread