Definition of abatis

< 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.

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