multivallateadj.
/ˌmʌltɪˈvaleɪt/, /ˌmʌltɪˈvalət/, U.S. /ˌməltiˈvæˌleɪt/, /ˌməlˌtaɪˈvæˌleɪt/, /ˌməltəˈvæˌleɪt/, /ˌməltiˈvælət/, /ˌməlˌtaɪˈvælət/, /ˌməltəˈvælət/; see also multi- comb. form. Archaeology.
Surrounded by two or more ramparts forming multiple lines of defence. Cf. bivallate adj., univallate adj. at uni- comb. form 1a.
ΘΚΠ
society > armed hostility > defence > defensive work(s) > earthwork or rampart > [adjective] > having more than one
bivallate1930
multivallate1948
1948 Archaeol. Jrnl. 105 50 The best developed barbicans are found in multivallate camps.
1963 G. Daniel in I. Foster & L. Alcock Culture & Environment ii. 20 The building of the bivallate and multivallate hillforts of Wales.
1974 C. Taylor Fieldwork in Medieval Archaeol. iv. 72 The remarkable earthworks around Denney Abbey can be interpreted as the remains of fishponds, paddocks, and building sites, all contained within a multivallate ditch system.
2007 Brit. Archaeol. Sept.–Oct. 35/3 Sutton Common is one of the best known iron age multivallate (ie enclosed with multiple fortifications) fort-type sites in lowland Britain.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, March 2003; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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adj.1948