escarp

American  

[ih-skahrp] / ɪˈskɑrp /

noun

1. Fortification. the inner slope or wall of the ditch surrounding a rampart.

2. any similar steep slope.

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verb (used with object)

1. to make into an escarp; give a steep slope to; furnish with escarps.

escarp British  

/ ɪˈskɑːp /

noun

1. fortifications the inner side of the ditch separating besiegers and besieged Compare counterscarp

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verb

1. a rare word for scarp

Etymology

Origin of escarp

1680–90; < French, Middle French escarpe < Italian scarpa < Germanic; see scarp

Example Sentences

The eastern front has an escarp fourteen feet high cut in the lava, and well flanked by the caponnière defending the entrances, mounting four guns.

From The Life of Gordon, Volume I by Boulger, Demetrius Charles

Its principal use is to secure the escarp as long as possible.

From The Sailor's Word-Book An Alphabetical Digest of Nautical Terms, including Some More Especially Military and Scientific, but Useful to Seamen; as well as Archaisms of Early Voyagers, etc. by Belcher, Edward, Sir

A glance at any of the plans that have already been shown will show that hitherto the crests of parapets had always been traced parallel to the escarp or magistral line.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 10, Slice 6 "Foraminifera" to "Fox, Edward" by Various

Escarp′ment, the precipitous side of any hill or rock: escarp.

From Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary (part 2 of 4: E-M) by Various

The main front is broken back to flank the faces of the bastion from casemates behind the escarp, as well as from the parapet.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 10, Slice 6 "Foraminifera" to "Fox, Edward" by Various