ABATIS

AB'ATIS, Rubbish. In fortification, piles of trees, or branches of trees sharpened, and laid with the points outward, in front of ramparts, to prevent assailants from mounting the walls.

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{ Ab″a‐tis, Aba″t‐tis, } (ăb″ȧ‐tĭs; French ȧ′bȧ′tē″) n. [[F. abatis, abattis, mass of things beaten or cut down, fr. abattre. See Abate.]] (Fort.) A means of defense formed by felled trees, the ends of whose branches are sharpened and directed outwards, or against the enemy.