contravallation

contravallation Definition

con·tra·val·la·tion (kän′trə və lā′s̸hən)

noun

a fortification set up to protect a besieging force from attack by the defenders of the besieged place or by a relieving force from the outside

Etymology: Fr contrevallation < L contra, counter + vallatio, entrenchment < vallum, wall

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