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abatis

noun
ab·​a·​tis | \ ˈa-bə-ˌtē How to pronounce abatis (audio) , ˈa-bə-təs How to pronounce abatis (audio) \
plural abatis\ ˈa-​bə-​ˌtēz How to pronounce abatis (audio) \ or abatises\ ˈa-​bə-​tə-​səz How to pronounce abatises (audio) \

Definition of abatis

: a defensive obstacle formed by felled trees with sharpened branches facing the enemy

First Known Use of abatis

1757, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for abatis

borrowed from French, literally, "act of felling, things felled," going back to Old French abateiz, from abatre "to strike down, fell" + -eiz, -eis, resultative suffix, going back to Vulgar Latin *-ātīcium, neuter of *-ātīcius, from Latin -ātus -ate entry 3 + -īcius, adjective suffix — more at abate

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