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defilade definition

defi·lade (def′ə lād′, def′ə lād′)

transitive verb, intransitive verb defiladed -·lad′ed, defilading -·lad′·ing

to arrange (troops and fortifications) so that the terrain will protect them, esp. from gunfire against either flank

Etymology: < Fr défilade, a filing off, succession < défiler: see defile

noun

  1. the act of defilading
  2. the protection afforded by defilading

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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