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Maginot line
[ mazh-uh-noh; French ma-zhee-noh ]
noun
- 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.
- any elaborate line of defense or set of barriers.
Maginot line
/ maʒino; ˈmæʒɪˌnəʊ /
noun
- 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
- any line of defence in which blind confidence is placed
Maginot line
- 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.
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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.”
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Word History and Origins
Origin of Maginot line1
1925–30; after André Maginot (1877–1932), French minister of war
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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
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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
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