Maginot line

[ mazh-uh-noh; French ma-zhee-noh ]

noun

1. a zone of heavy defensive fortifications erected by France along its eastern border in the years preceding World War II, but outflanked in 1940 when the German army attacked through Belgium.
2. any elaborate line of defense or set of barriers.

Maginot line

/ ˈmæʒɪˌnəʊ; maʒino /

noun

1. a line of fortifications built by France to defend its border with Germany prior to World War II; it proved ineffective against the German invasion
2. any line of defence in which blind confidence is placed

Maginot line

1. A chain of defensive fortifications built by France on its eastern border between World War I and World War II . The Maginot line was designed to stop any future invasion by Germany , but it was never completed. In World War II, the Germans conquered France by going around the Maginot line to the north.

Notes

The expression Maginot mentality refers to any military strategy that is exclusively defensive and therefore flawed. It also refers to military planning that is aimed at the past. This way of thinking is sometimes referred to as “fighting the last war.”

Word History and Origins

Origin of Maginot line¹

1925–30; after André Maginot (1877–1932), French minister of war

Word History and Origins

Origin of Maginot line¹

named after André Maginot (1877–1932), French minister of war when the fortifications were begun in 1929

Example Sentences

A lot of Republican candidates are trying to finesse the establishment-Tea Party Maginot Line and be both things to all people.

From The Daily Beast

Rivers was dug in behind this innocent-purchase-and-sale-in-good-faith Maginot Line of his.

From Project Gutenberg

Hitler would never dare attack the Maginot Line, and eventually the war would just peter out.

From Project Gutenberg