Glosary

A large receptacle for storing water, especially a tank in which rain water is collected for use (Webster’s).

A building used for storage (Webster)

The platform of earth within the parapet, high enough to enable defenders to fire over the crest of the parapet while standing (DMA).

An earthen terrace or platform situated inside a parapet or rampart upon which cannon were mounted so that they could be fired over a wall rather than through the gun port (DMA).

Principal part of a fortification (DMA).

Small fortress with characteristics of a strong fort which serves to protect sites in the immediacy of castles (DMA).

A small triangular work consisting of two faces which was situated in front and parallel to the salient angle of a bastion or ravelin, which provided additional defence against enfilade fire (DMA).

A barrier to break the impact of waves as before a harbor (Webster).

The rampart which runs between two bastions; the fortified wall which runs between two towers (DMA).

An opening in the parapet or the wall of a work for firing guns through at an enemy. The embrasure was internally spayed to allow the gun to be swung through a greater arc, thus increasing its field of fire (DMA).

A space between a citadel and the surrounding houses of a fortified city, which was purposely kept clear so as to eliminate any cover for an enemy force attempting to erect breaching batteries or making approaches (DMA).

The flank or side of a work, such as that of a bastion from the salient point to the curtain wall, used to provide a position for flanking fire (DMA).

A narrow, underground path constructed in a fortress to facilitate attack or defense (DMA).

A small, boxlike structure serving as a shelter for a sentry on duty during bad weather (Webster).

An outwork consisting of two long curtains extending from the main works and was fronted by two demi-bastions connected by a short curtain, forming an outer bailey, it was smaller than a crownwork but serving the same purpose (DMA).

Sticks bound together to form provisional defenses (Pequeño Larousse).

An obstruction placed on land for defending an entrance or gate (Webster).

A defensive fence or wall of wooden stakes arranged vertically or obliquely in a row (DMA).

A wall used to protect the defenders on the ramparts of a fortification, either plain or provided with embrasures (DMA).

The gun position on the top of a rampart located behind a parapet (DMA).

A small secondary entrance, sometimes concealed, and usually at the rear of a castle, used as an escape route (DMA).

A detached fortification having two faces projecting outward from the main structure to form a salient angle (Webster).

An embankment of earth used for defense, excavated from the trench, and raised either on the inside or outside of the trench. Ramparts usually surrounded a fortification and were usually topped by a parapet (DMA).

AA defensive enclosure made of upright stakes (DMA).

An obstruction of stone constructed to mold the configuration of the sea, protecting against the movements of the sea in coastal areas (Webster).

A wall built under the sea to obstruct the passage of boats and ships (Webster).