ambuscade

American  

[am-buh-skeyd, am-buh-skeyd] / ˈæm bəˌskeɪd, ˌæm bəˈskeɪd /

noun

1. an ambush.

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verb (used without object)

ambuscaded, ambuscading

1. to lie in ambush.

verb (used with object)

ambuscaded, ambuscading

1. to attack from a concealed position; ambush.

ambuscade British  

/ ˌæmbəˈskeɪd /

noun

1. an ambush

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verb

1. to ambush or lie in ambush

Other Word Forms

• ambuscader noun

Etymology

Origin of ambuscade

1575–85; < Middle French embuscade, alteration (under influence of Old French embuschier; ambush ) of Middle French emboscade < Old Italian imboscata, feminine past participle of imboscare, verbal derivative with in- in- ² of bosco wood, forest < Germanic *bosk- bush ¹

Explanation

An ambuscade is a surprise attack. There's nothing funnier than watching your cat lie in wait behind the couch until your dog wanders over, only to be startled by the cat's ambuscade. While ambuscade is a bit old-fashioned, it's a perfectly good way to say ambush. Soldiers in battle conduct strategic ambuscades, and you may also enjoy using an ambuscade against your brother now and then, leaping out from behind a door to make him jump. It can also be used as a verb: "The dog is surprised every single time the cat ambuscades him."

Example Sentences

I have experienced and feel a profound sadness for the Marines who perished in the last ambuscade of the Sandinistas.

From Time Magazine Archive

Only about 700 Legionnaires managed to escape the ambuscade.

From Time Magazine Archive

The general belief was that the King was a chance victim of the ambuscade which was intended for the Orchanie-Sofia autobus, occupants of which were known to be carrying large sums of money.

From Time Magazine Archive

In nearly four years of fighting, the young officers have mastered the arts of the field�silent de ployment, timely retreat, sudden concentration, plausible ambuscade, dependable supply of vegetable camouflage.

From Time Magazine Archive

An ancestor of the Pusey family, serving as an officer under the king, discovered an ambuscade, formed by the Saxons, to intercept the king’s army.

From Old Church Lore by Andrews, William