bivouac - Definitions from Dictionary.com

7 results for: bivouac

Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1) - Cite This Source - Share This

biv·ou·ac

Audio Help [biv-oo-ak, biv-wak] Pronunciation Key noun, verb, -acked, -ack·ing.

–noun

1.	a military encampment made with tents or improvised shelters, usually without shelter or protection from enemy fire.

2.	the place used for such an encampment.

–verb (used without object)

3.	to rest or assemble in such an area; encamp.

[Origin: 1700–10; < F < Swiss G bīwacht auxiliary patrol, equiv. to bī- by- + wacht patrol, watch

]

Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1)
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.

Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.
bivouac

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American Heritage Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

biv·ou·ac Audio Help   (bĭv'ōō-āk', bĭv'wāk') Pronunciation Key
n.   A temporary encampment often in an unsheltered area.

intr.v.   biv·ou·acked, biv·ou·ack·ing, biv·ou·acs also biv·ou·acks
To camp in a bivouac.

[French, from German dialectal beiwacht, supplementary night watch : bei-, beside (from Middle High German bi-, from Old High German; see ambhi in Indo-European roots) + Wacht, watch, vigil (from Middle High German wahte, from Old High German wahta; see weg- in Indo-European roots).]

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Online Etymology Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
bivouac

1702, from Fr., ult. from Swiss/Alsatian biwacht "night guard," from bei- "double, additional" + wacht "guard." Original meaning was an army that stayed up on night watch; sense of "outdoor camp" is 1853. Not a common word in Eng. before the Napoleonic Wars.

WordNet - Cite This Source - Share This

bivouac
noun
1.	temporary living quarters specially built by the army for soldiers; "wherever he went in the camp the men were grumbling" [syn: camp]
2.	a site where people on holiday can pitch a tent [syn: campsite]
verb
1.	live in or as if in a tent; "Can we go camping again this summer?"; "The circus tented near the town"; "The houseguests had to camp in the living room" [syn: camp]

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

Bivouac

Biv"ouac\, n. [F. bivouac, bivac, prab. fr. G. beiwache, or beiwacht; bei by, near + wachen to watch, wache watch, guard. See By, and Watch.] (Mil.) (a) The watch of a whole army by night, when in danger of surprise or attack. (b) An encampment for the night without tents or covering.

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

Bivouac

Biv"ouac\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Bivouacked (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Bivouacking.] (Mil.) (a) To watch at night or be on guard, as a whole army. (b) To encamp for the night without tents or covering.

Dictionary.com Word of the Day Archive - Cite This Source - Share This

bivouac

bivouac was Word of the Day on May 6, 1999.

Dictionary.com Word of the Day

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