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Enfilade: meaning, definitions and examples

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enfilade

 

[ หŒษ›n.fษชหˆleษชd ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

military formation

An enfilade refers to a military tactic where troops or artillery are positioned to fire along the length of an enemy formation, maximizing their effectiveness by targeting the side of the enemy ranks. This allows for a more devastating impact on the enemy's forces as they are less capable of defending against a flank attack. Enfilade fire is particularly effective in open terrain where lines of sight can be maintained. Understanding enfilade tactics is essential for both offensive and defensive military strategy.

Synonyms

crossfire, flank attack, side fire

Examples of usage

  • The general ordered an enfilade to take advantage of the enemy's vulnerable position.
  • The troops were arranged in an enfilade formation to maximize their firepower.
  • During the battle, the enfilade fire caused heavy losses to the advancing enemy.

Translations

Translations of the word "enfilade" in other languages:

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡น enfilade

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณ เคเคจเคซเคฟเคฒเฅ‡เคก

๐Ÿ‡ฉ๐Ÿ‡ช Enfilade

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ฉ enfilade

๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ะตะฝั„ั–ะปะฐะดะฐ

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฑ enfilada

๐Ÿ‡ฏ๐Ÿ‡ต ใ‚จใƒณใƒ•ใ‚ฃใƒฉใƒผใƒ‰

๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ท enfilade

๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ enfilada

๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ท enfilade

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ท ์—”ํ•„๋ ˆ์ด๋“œ

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ุฅู†ููŠู„ุงุฏ

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ฟ enfilรกda

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฐ enfilรกda

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ณ ่ตฐๅปŠ

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฎ enfilada

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ธ enfilade

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ฟ ัะฝั„ะธะปะฐะดะฐ

๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ช แƒ”แƒœแƒคแƒ˜แƒšแƒแƒ“แƒ

๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡ฟ enfilade

๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ enfilada

Word origin

The term 'enfilade' comes from the French word 'enfiler', which means 'to thread' or 'to pass through'. It was first used in a military context in the 18th century to describe the arrangement of troops in a line that enabled them to deliver fire along the length of an enemy position, providing a substantial tactical advantage. The concept has its roots in early modern warfare, when linear formations were common, and advancing infantry was susceptible to concentrated fire from the flanks. Over time, the term has evolved and is now used in military strategy and historical discussions, emphasizing the importance of positioning and firing angles in battle.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #36,017, this word is encountered relatively rarely in everyday English. It might appear in literary works or specialized texts but isn't essential for general communication.