Contravallation

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. an encircling defensive structure or embankment built by attackers to surround and blockade a fortified location
2. a siege fortification consisting of trenches and ramparts constructed in a circle around an enemy stronghold to prevent escape or relief
3. A defensive barrier constructed by besiegers to encircle and isolate a fortified place from outside support

Etymology: Contravallation is a military term that reads like a compound of "contra-" and a rampart word, and the parts do line up with the meaning: a ring of defensive works turned inward, facing the besieged town rather than the open country. The Latin "vallum" meant a rampart or defensive wall, and "vallare" meant to surround with one. The word therefore names a fortification built to fence something in, which is exactly what the besiegers were doing to the enemy stronghold. The "contra-" part comes from Latin "contrā," meaning against or opposite. A siege line was usually paired with a second ring of works facing outward, to repel any relieving army, so the inner ring is the "contra" wall set against the garrison inside. Some dictionaries point to French or Italian forms as possible intermediaries, but the exact route into English is uncertain, so the safest reading is simply a Latin-derived military coinage built on the familiar "vallum" stem.