circumvallation

noun /sɜːkəmvæˈleɪʃən/

1. A rampart or other defensive entrenchment that entirely encircles the position being defended.

   [...] and in a word, would intrench and fortify them round with as many circumvallations and breast-works, as my uncle Toby would a citadel.

Where it comes from

Borrowed from Latin circumvāllātiō. By surface analysis, circumvallate + -ation.

Adapted from the Wiktionary entry circumvallation (CC BY-SA 4.0).

← circumvallateclamatory →

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