camouflet

American  

[kam-uh-fley, kam-uh-fley] / ˌkæm əˈfleɪ, ˈkæm əˌfleɪ /

noun

1. an underground explosion of a bomb or mine that does not break the surface, but leaves an enclosed cavity of gas and smoke.

2. the pocket formed by such an explosion.

3. the bomb or mine so exploded and causing such a pocket.

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Etymology

Origin of camouflet

1830–40; < French: literally, smoke blown in someone's face as a practical joke, Middle French chault moufflet, equivalent to chault hot (< Latin calidus ) + moufflet presumably “puff, breath”; compare Walloon dial. moufler to puff up the cheeks; 1st syllable probably conformed to the expressive formative ca- ( see cabbage ¹)

Example Sentences

Tulloch, R.E., was afraid that the Boche would hear him loading one of the galleries, so, to take no risks, blew a preliminary camouflet on the evening of the 21st, destroying the enemy's nearest sap.

From The Fifth Leicestershire A Record Of The 1/5th Battalion The Leicestershire Regiment, T.F., During The War, 1914-1919. by Hills, John David

To "camouflet" became a new English verb British planes tested out a battery's visibility from the air.

From My Second Year of the War by Palmer, Frederick

The term camouflet is applied to a mine used to suffocate the enemy's miner, without producing an explosion.

From Elements of Military Art and Science Or, Course Of Instruction In Strategy, Fortification, Tactics Of Battles, &C.; Embracing The Duties Of Staff, Infantry, Cavalry, Artillery, And Engineers; Adapted To The Use Of Volunteers And Militia; Third Edition; With Critical Notes On The Mexican And Crimean Wars. by Halleck, Henry Wager

Working parties were heavy, and on one occasion the Bosche blew a camouflet while work was in progress.

From The Seventeenth Highland Light Infantry (Glasgow Chamber of Commerce Battalion) Record of War Service, 1914-1918 by Arthur, John W.

Eventually he was led to Battalion Headquarters, where he explained that the French were going to blow a camouflet in half-an-hour.

From The Fifth Leicestershire A Record Of The 1/5th Battalion The Leicestershire Regiment, T.F., During The War, 1914-1919. by Hills, John David