enfilade
Military.
a position of works, troops, etc., making them subject to a sweeping fire from along the length of a line of troops, a trench, a battery, etc.
the fire thus directed.
Architecture.
an axial arrangement of doorways connecting a suite of rooms with a vista down the whole length of the suite.
an axial arrangement of mirrors on opposite sides of a room so as to give an effect of an infinitely long vista.
Military. to attack with an enfilade.
Origin of enfilade
1Other words from enfilade
- un·en·fi·lad·ed, adjective
Words Nearby enfilade
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use enfilade in a sentence
As that big oblong crowd of Turks showed their left flank to Baikie's nine batteries they were swept in enfilade by shrapnel.
Gallipoli Diary, Volume I | Ian HamiltonIf successful, it was to enfilade the Wylie kopjes from that position.
Story of the War in South Africa | Captain A. T. Mahan, U.S.N.In a gleam of sunshine, the variety of tints and lights thrown upon this enfilade, are uncommonly rich.
The Book of Curiosities | I. PlattsMeanwhile three Turkish brigs came to the rescue, and got into position so as to enfilade the beach.
Byron | Richard EdgcumbeThey could thus, by firing eastwards from this redoubt, rake No Mans Land in direct enfilade.
The History of the 51st (Highland) Division 1914-1918 | Frederick William Bewsher
British Dictionary definitions for enfilade
/ (ˌɛnfɪˈleɪd) military /
a position or formation subject to fire from a flank along the length of its front
to subject (a position or formation) to fire from a flank
to position (troops or guns) so as to be able to fire at a flank
Origin of enfilade
1Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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