fosse

¹ American  

[fos, faws] / fɒs, fɔs /

Or foss

noun

1. a moat or defensive ditch in a fortification, usually filled with water.

2. any ditch, trench, or canal.

---

Fosse ² American  

[fos-ee] / ˈfɒs i /

noun

1. Robert Louis Bob, 1927–87, U.S. dancer, choreographer, and theater and film director.

---

fosse British  

/ fɒs /

noun

1. a ditch or moat, esp one dug as a fortification

---

Etymology

Origin of fosse

1350–1400; Middle English < Middle French < Latin fossa fossa ¹

Example Sentences

Se fosse seguida pela OMS, a organização recomendaria que crianças de todo o mundo fossem amamentadas por seis meses, em vez da recomendação anterior de quatro a seis meses, explicou.

From New York Times • Sep. 16, 2017

There was a road paved with white stone running on the outer brink of the fosse.

From "The Fellowship of the Ring" by J.R.R. Tolkien

Beyond it was a deep fosse lost in soft shadow, but the grass upon its brink was green, as if it glowed still in memory of the sun that had gone.

From "The Fellowship of the Ring" by J.R.R. Tolkien

There was also the donjon keep, and the remains of a fosse; but all the rest of this feudal castle had been unceremoniously carted away, to erect cowsheds and pig-styes with it.

From From Squire to Squatter A Tale of the Old Land and the New by Stables, Gordon

Some portions of a fosse may still be traced on the lower edge of the wood; but no tradition connected with its history has descended to us.

From Notes and Queries, Vol. IV, Number 106, November 8, 1851 A Medium of Inter-communication for Literary Men, Artists, Antiquaries, Genealogists, etc. by Various

Related Words

• dike
• foxhole
• gorge
• gully
• moat
• pit
• trough
• waterway