Abattis

2 definitions found

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  Abatis \Ab"a*tis\, Abattis \Aba"t*tis\, ([a^]b"[.a]*t[i^]s;
     French [.a]`b[.a]`t[=e]") n. [F. abatis, abattis, mass of
     things beaten or cut down, fr. abattre. See {Abate}.] (Fort.)
     A means of defense formed by felled trees, the ends of whose
     branches are sharpened and directed outwards, or against the
     enemy.


     [1913 Webster]

From WordNet (r) 2.0 [wn]:

  abattis
       n : line of defense consisting of a barrier of felled or live
           trees with branches (sharpened or with barbed wire
           entwined) toward the enemy [syn: {abatis}]