English Explanatory Dictionary

contravallation

English dictionary entry

Meanings

noun
  1. A fortification built around a sieged target by the besiegers.

Pronunciation

/ˌkɒntɹəvəˈleɪʃən/ /ˌkɑntɹəvəˈleɪʃən/

Word forms

contravallation contravallations countervallation

Etymology

By surface analysis, contra- + vallation (“rampart”). Possibly from French contrevallation or Italian contravvallazione; in any case, from Latin contrā + vallātiō (from vallare (“to surround with a rampart”), from vallum (“rampart”)).

Antonyms

circumvallation
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