释义 |
am·bush I. \ˈamˌbu̇sh, ˈaam-\ verb (-ed/-ing/-es) Etymology: Middle English embushen, abushen, from Old French embuschier to place in ambush, from en in (from Latin in) + -buschier, from busche stick of firewood, probably of Germanic origin; akin to Middle High German būsch cudgel — more at in, boast transitive verb 1. : to station in ambush < he ambushed his force in a canebrake — J.F.H.Claiborne > 2. : to lie in wait for and attack by surprise : waylay < units in superior strength had ambushed … the 2d and 19th regiments — R.C.Cameron > intransitive verb : to lie in wait : lurk < imaginary persons ambushed in the fog — Marguerite Young > II. noun (-es) Etymology: Middle French embusche, from Old French, from embuschier, v. 1. a. : a hidden or concealed station of troops lying in wait to attack an enemy by surprise < attempt of a … boy to warn them of an ambush over the brow of the hill — Mary Gregoire > b. : the body of troops lying in wait for an enemy 2. a. : a hidden or concealed position < trapped, baited, and shot from ambush like a criminal — D.C.Peattie > b. : a person occupying a concealed position 3. : the act of lying in wait in or of attacking by surprise from a concealed position |