| 释义 |
circumvallation|ˌsɜːkəmvæˈleɪʃən|
[Noun of action f. prec.: see -ation.]
1. The making of a rampart or entrenchment round a place, esp. in besieging.
1654L'Estrange Chas. I (1655) 69 The Duke fals to circumvallation and entrenchment, rearing many batteries. 1772Priestley Inst. Relig. (1782) I. 442 The circumvallation of Jerusalem. 1836Thirlwall Greece III. xix. 104 He set about completing the circumvallation, and the place was soon closely blockaded.
b. line of circumvallation: a line of earth-works consisting of a rampart and trench surrounding a besieged place or the camp of a besieging army. So wall of circumvallation, etc.
1641Evelyn Diary 3 Aug., At night we rode about the lines of circumvallation. 1662Gerbier Princ. 12 The Walls of Circumvallation of that Pallace, being four and twenty foote thick. 1760–72tr. Juan & Ulloa's Voy. (ed. 3) I. vi. xi. 473 The outward moat of circumvallation was above a league in extent. 1876Bancroft Hist. U.S. IV. xxxviii. 605 The line of circumvallation was already closed.
c. transf. and fig.
1649Jer. Taylor Gt. Exemp. iii. xv. xix, A circumvallation of the holy mysteries.
2. concr. A rampart or entrenchment constructed round any place by way of investment or defence.
c1645Howell Lett. (1650) I. 182 The huge circuit of Spinola's works; for his circumvallations are cried up to be near upon twenty miles. 1677Plot Oxfordsh. 334 There is..a small Circumvallation in a Wood South and by West of Harpsden Church. 1845Petrie Eccl. Archit. Irel. 445 The circumvallations, or circular enclosures, which usually encompassed the group of buildings.
b. transf. and fig.
1775Sheridan St. Patr. Day i. i, The London Ladies..are so defended, such a circumvallation of hoop, with a breastwork of whalebone, etc. 1807A. M. Porter Hungar. Bro. (Warne) 59 We may have so many circumvallations of ceremony to pass through. 1859Tennent Ceylon II. vii. v. 194 Surrounded by a double circumvallation of mountains. |