Gabion

1 definition found

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

  Gabion \Ga"bi*on\, n.[F., from It. gabbione a large cage,
     gabion, from gabbia cage, L. cavea. See {Cage}.]
     1. (Fort.) A hollow cylinder of wickerwork, like a basket
        without a bottom. Gabions are made of various sizes, and
        filled with earth in building fieldworks to shelter men
        from an enemy's fire.


        [1913 Webster]
  
     2. (Hydraul. Engin.) An openwork frame, as of poles, filled
        with stones and sunk, to assist in forming a bar dyke,
        etc., as in harbor improvement.
        [1913 Webster]