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embattle

 - 4 dictionary results

em⋅bat⋅tle

1  [em-bat-l]
Use embattle in a Sentence
–verb (used with object), -tled, -tling.
1. to arrange in order of battle; prepare for battle; arm.
2. to fortify (a town, camp, etc.).
Origin:
1350–1400; ME embatailen < MF embataillier. See em- 1 , battle 1

em⋅bat⋅tle

2  [em-bat-l]
–verb (used with object), -tled, -tling.
to furnish with battlements.
Origin:
1350–1400; ME embatailen. See em- 1 , battle 2
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To embattle
em·bat·tle   (ěm-bāt'l)   
tr.v.   em·bat·tled, em·bat·tling, em·bat·tles

  1. To prepare for battle; array.

  2. To furnish with battlements for defense.


[Middle English embataillen, from Old French embataillier : en-, in; see en-1 + bataillier, to battle (from bataille, battle; see battle).]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

embattle 
1393, "prepare for a fight," from O.Fr. embataillier "to prepare for battle," from en- + bataille (see battle). Originally of armies; of individuals as well since 1596 (first attested in Spenser). Embattled "under attack" is from 1961.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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