Definition of abatis

competent Definition: (adjective) having the skill and knowledge needed for a particular task; capable Petersons.com

Add Word of the Day to your personalized My Yahoo! page: About My Yahoo! and RSS »

Email this page to a friend

< abatement

abattoir >

ab·a·tis    (b-t, -ts) KEY  

NOUN:
pl. ab·a·tis   (-tz) KEY   or ab·a·tis·es   (-t-sz) KEY  

A defensive obstacle made by laying felled trees on top of each other with branches, sometimes sharpened, facing the enemy.

---

ETYMOLOGY:
French, pile of things thrown down, from Old French abateis; ; akin to abattre, to throw down ; see abate

Visit our partner's site

	Provided by Houghton Mifflin eReference -- Download this interactive reference software to your desktop computer

Search Dictionary:

More on Yahoo! Education

• Online and On-Campus Degree Programs     MBAs  -  Technology Management  -  Education  -  Health  -  More  • College & Grad School - A Comprehensive Guide     College Search  -  Test Prep  -  Application Tips  -  Scholarship Search