noun
- Plural of abattis: a defensive barrier made of felled trees with sharpened branches pointing outward, used in fortifications or military contexts.
Usage: military; historical
Examples
- The fort was surrounded by abattises to slow enemy advancement.
- Soldiers constructed abattises from fallen timber to fortify their position.
- The defensive line included multiple abattises spaced at strategic intervals.
- During the siege, the abattises proved effective in delaying the assault.
- Engineers designed the abattises to channel attackers into kill zones.