| 释义 |
outflank, v.|aʊtˈflæŋk|
[out- 18 c, 17 (?).]
1. trans. To extend or get beyond the flank of the opposing army; to outmanœuvre by a flanking movement.
1765Hist. Eur. in Ann. Reg. 10/1 Greatly to outflank any line of battle into which it was possible for the major to form his few forces. 1838Thirlwall Greece xxii. III. 213 The enemy's superiority in numbers would enable them to outflank him. 1878R. B. Smith Carthage 216 The bridleless Numidian cavalry..outflanking the enemy, and riding round towards their rear, first fell on the retreating infantry.
b. fig. To ‘get round’, get the better of.
1773Gentl. Mag. XLIII. 416 We were outflanked by the law. 1884Church Bacon iv. 82 The devising of questionable legal subtleties..to outflank the defence of some obnoxious prisoner.
2. To lie or extend beyond (the flank). Also intr.
1796Instr. & Reg. Cavalry (1813) 81 The regiment breaks into column of divisions, to whichever hand the new position out-flanks the old one. Ibid. 83 When the new line out-flanks towards the point of intersection, then the regiment breaking to that hand will have its head nearer to the new line than its rear.
Hence outˈflanking vbl. n. and ppl. a.
1871Standard 24 Jan., We shall have another outflanking movement. 1893F. Adams New Egypt 245 The choice lay..between a direct front attack and an outflanking movement. |