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chamade

American  
[shuh-mahd] / ʃəˈmɑd /

noun

Military Archaic.
  1. a signal by drum or trumpet inviting an enemy to a parley.


chamade British  
/ ʃəˈmɑːd /

noun

  1. military (formerly) a signal by drum or trumpet inviting an enemy to a parley

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of chamade

1675–85; < French < Portuguese chamada, equivalent to cham ( ar ) to sound (< Latin clamāre to shout; see claim) + -ada -ade 1

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

When la chamade begins to pulse through Lucile and Antoine, Clare taps out her surrender and Charles shrewdly retreats.

From Time Magazine Archive

Stralsund instantly beat the chamade, as we heard; and all was surrender and subjection in those regions.

From History of Friedrich II of Prussia — Volume 04 by Carlyle, Thomas

On Sunday, to our surprise, about three in the afternoon," writes the Highlander from his prison, "we saw a drum of the enemy beating a chamade in the street.

From Memoirs of the Jacobites of 1715 and 1745. Volume I. by Thomson, Mrs.

The poor Invalides have sunk under their battlements, or rise only with reversed muskets: they have made a white flag of napkins; go beating the chamade, or seeming to beat, for one can hear nothing.

From The French Revolution by Carlyle, Thomas

Lo, flag of truce and chamade; conjuration to halt: Malseigne and Denoue are on the street, coming hither; the soldiers all repentant, ready to submit and march!

From The French Revolution by Carlyle, Thomas