enfilade

enfilade Definition

en·fi·lade (en′fə lād′, en′fə lād′)

noun

gunfire, from either flank, directed along the length of a column or line of troops
a disposition or placement of troops that makes them vulnerable to such fire

Etymology: Fr < enfiler, to thread, string, rake with fire < OFr < en- (L in) + fil (L filum), a thread

transitive verb -·lad′ed, -·lad′·ing

to direct such gunfire at

enfilade Usage Examples

Preposition: of

room: The Blue Boudoir Naturally lit from two sides, the Blue Boudoir is the brightest of the enfilade of rooms.

Object

fire: During this operation, Company H was exposed to enfilade fire from machine guns.

Adjective modifier

heavy: He was twice wounded, bravely directing the fire of his men, under a heavy enfilade.

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