defilade

[ def-uh-leyd ]

noun

1. protection or shielding from hostile ground observation and flat projecting fire provided by an artificial or natural obstacle, as a hill.

verb (used with object)

, def·i·lad·ed, def·i·lad·ing.

1. to shield from enemy fire by using natural or artificial obstacles.

defilade

/ ˌdɛfɪˈleɪd /

noun

1. protection provided by obstacles against enemy crossfire from the rear, or observation
2. the disposition of defensive fortifications to produce this protection

verb

1. to provide protection for by defilade

Word History and Origins

Origin of defilade¹

First recorded in 1820–30; from French défil(er), originally, “to unthread” (equivalent to dé- negative prefix + (en)filer “to thread,” ultimately from Latin fīlum “thread”) + French -ade noun suffix denoting action or process; dis- ¹, -ade ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of defilade¹

C19: see de- , enfilade

Example Sentences

When it comes to actual close-in counterinsurgency combat, fighters often obscure themselves in defilade or in buildings, requiring a need for precision strikes.

From Fox News

Troops on the battlefield like to be “in defilade”—protected from enemy fire by physical obstacles.

From Time

After more than 1,500 online battles, I now find myself daydreaming about obscure military concepts with vaguely suggestive names like gun depression, defilade and enfilade.

From New York Times

The garrison in all parts of the interior of the redoubt were to be sheltered, if possible, from the enemy’s fire, and with this object great pains were bestowed on the principle of “defilade.”

From Project Gutenberg

By cover is meant effective defilade from the enemy's fire.

From Project Gutenberg