1911 Encyclopædia Britannica/Abatis

From Wikisource
Jump to navigation Jump to search

ABATIS, Abattis or Abbattis (a French word meaning a heap of material thrown), a term in field fortification for an obstacle formed of the branches of trees laid in a row, with the tops directed towards the enemy and interlaced or tied with wire. The abatis is used alone or in combination with wire-entanglements and other obstacles.