Definition

Proper noun A significant military engagement that occurred in 1356 near Poitiers, France, during the Hundred Years' War, resulting in a decisive victory for the English forces led by Edward, the Black Prince, over the French army.

Usage

This term is used specifically to refer to this historical event. It functions as a proper noun, the name of a specific battle. * The Battle of Poitiers was a key English victory that demonstrated the effectiveness of the longbow. * Historians often study the tactics used at the Battle of Poitiers.

Advanced Usage

• The term can be used metonymically to represent the concepts of tactical innovation, the fortunes of war, or a pivotal moment in a prolonged conflict.
  • For the underdog team, winning the championship was their own Battle of Poitiers.

Variants and Related Words

• Poitiers: The name of the city near which the battle was fought. It can sometimes be used shorthand for the battle itself in historical contexts.
  • The English triumph at Poitiers shocked Europe.

Synonyms

• The Battle (of 1356): A more general reference.
• The Poitiers Campaign: Can refer to the broader military operations surrounding the battle.

Related Phrases

• Hundred Years' War: The larger conflict of which the Battle of Poitiers was a part.
• The Black Prince: The commander of the English forces at the battle.
• Battle of Crécy: Another major English victory (1346) in the same war, often discussed alongside Poitiers.
• Battle of Agincourt: A later, famous English victory (1415) in the same war.

Noun

1. the battle in 1356 in which the English under the Black Prince defeated the French