ambuscade

[ am-buh-skeyd, am-buh-skeyd ]

noun

1. an ambush.

verb (used without object)

, am·bus·cad·ed, am·bus·cad·ing.

1. to lie in ambush.

verb (used with object)

, am·bus·cad·ed, am·bus·cad·ing.

1. to attack from a concealed position; ambush.

ambuscade

/ ˌæmbəˈskeɪd /

noun

1. an ambush

verb

1. to ambush or lie in ambush

Other Words From

• ambus·cader noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of ambuscade¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of ambuscade¹

C16: from French embuscade, from Old Italian imboscata, probably of Germanic origin; compare ambush

Example Sentences

But, thank God, their ambuscade was turned against themselves.

From Project Gutenberg

The consul Rutilius Lupus was destroyed with his forces, by an ambuscade, near the river Livis, during the social war.

From Project Gutenberg

Harry's heart stood still; was the ambuscade to be discovered at the last minute?

From Project Gutenberg

These regiments were moved beyond Burkesville and placed in a position which served all the purposes of an ambuscade.

From Project Gutenberg

How was he to risk his vessel in the depth of black night in that inextricable labyrinth, that ambuscade of shoals?

From Project Gutenberg