Liberal Dictionary English Dictionary
< /ˈæb əˌtɪs ɪz, əˈbæt ə sɪz/.
- an obstacle or barricade of trees with bent or sharpened branches directed toward an enemy.
- a barbed wire entanglement used as an obstacle or barricade against an enemy.
noun fortifications
- a rampart of felled trees bound together placed with their branches outwards
- a barbed-wire entanglement before a position
“defense made of felled trees,” 1766, from French abatis, literally “things thrown down,” from Old French abateis, from abattre “to beat down, throw down” (see abate).