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escarpment

 - 3 dictionary results

es⋅carp⋅ment

  [i-skahrp-muhnt]
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–noun
1. Geology. a long, precipitous, clifflike ridge of land, rock, or the like, commonly formed by faulting or fracturing of the earth's crust. Compare scarp 1 (def. 1).
2. ground cut into an escarp around a fortification or defensive position.
Origin:
1795–1805; < F escarpement. See escarp, -ment
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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es·carp·ment   (ĭ-skärp'mənt)   
n.  

  1. A steep slope or long cliff that results from erosion or faulting and separates two relatively level areas of differing elevations.

  2. A steep slope in front of a fortification.

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

escarpment 
1802, from Fr. escarpment, from escarper "make into a steep slope," from escarpe "slope," from It. scarpa (see scarp).
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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