enfilade
/ˌɛnfɪˈleɪd
/noun
1A volley of gunfire directed along a line from end to end: they were mown down by an enfilade of artillery
2A suite of rooms with doorways in line with each other.The following year, after Waterloo, work began on the improvements planned by Samuel Ware, who renovated and amended the great enfilade of Palladian reception rooms....
- Nineteen exhibition spaces are arranged as an enfilade of rooms that define an L-shaped route through the building, with its Italian marble columns and high ceilings.
- There is a wonderful flow of space and light, with enfilades leading the eye through double doors and wafting curtains to the azure sea.
verb [with object]
Direct a volley of gunfire along the length of (a target): a sweeping crossfire enfiladed our riflemen...
- Knox gave the order, and the cannons blasted their deadly shot, enfilading the Germans and ripping apart the patrols.
- We demolished an enemy gun protected by a casemate which was enfilading our trenches.
- Immediately upon taking up the position, the battery opened upon the enemy, who was engaging the First Division, completely enfilading the enemy's lines with marked effect.
Origin
Early 18th century (denoting the position of a military post commanding the length of a line): from French, from enfiler 'thread on a string, pierce from end to end', from en- 'in, on' + fil 'thread'.