Definitions

from The Century Dictionary.

  • noun In field-fortification, the inside line of the parapet, so traced as to resemble the teeth of a saw, in order to afford the advantage of bringing a heavier fire to bear upon the defile than if only a simple face were opposed to it.

from the GNU version of the Collaborative International Dictionary of English.

  • noun (Fort.) An indented or zigzaged line of intrenchment.

Etymologies

Sorry, no etymologies found.

Support

Help support Wordnik (and make this page ad-free) by adopting the word cremaillere.

Examples

  • In the midst of a frame of light wood sits the operator, steadying himself with one hand, and with the other fuming a cremaillere, which appears to give a very quick rotatory movement to two glass globes revolving upon

    Wonderful Balloon Ascents

  • This was a cremaillere infantry breastwork of strong profile, with heavy enclosed redoubts at distances of 700 and 800 yards, having defensive relations to each other.

    Memoirs of the War of Secession 1910

  • About a month later, toward the middle of March, she had so far regained her equanimity as to allow herself, after a steady resistance, to be persuaded by a friend to attend her house-warming ball -- "pendre la cremaillere," as they call it in Paris.

    The Malady of the Century Max Simon Nordau 1886

Comments

Log in or sign up to get involved in the conversation. It's quick and easy.