Definition

Proper noun A significant early battle in the French Revolutionary Wars, fought on September 20, 1792, near the village of Valmy in northeastern France. In this engagement, the French revolutionary forces achieved a decisive victory over an invading coalition of Austrian and Prussian troops. The battle is particularly noted for the effective and morale-boosting cannonade by the French artillery, which halted the allied advance. The victory at Valmy was a pivotal moment that boosted the morale of the new French Republic and helped secure the revolution.

Usage Examples

• The Battle of Valmy is often cited as the first major victory of the French Revolutionary armies.
• Goethe, who witnessed the Battle of Valmy, famously remarked, "From this place and from this day forth commences a new era in the world's history."
• The successful cannonade at the Battle of Valmy demonstrated the effectiveness of the reformed French artillery.

Advanced Usage

• "The Cannonade of Valmy": This phrase is often used synonymously or in detailed descriptions to emphasize the defining artillery duel of the battle.
  • The outcome was decided by the famous Cannonade of Valmy.

Variants and Related Words

• Valmy: The name of the battle is frequently shortened to just "Valmy" when the context is clear.
  • The victory at Valmy secured the French Republic.
• War of the First Coalition: The Battle of Valmy was the first major engagement in this wider European conflict against revolutionary France.

Synonyms

• Engagement at Valmy
• Cannonade of Valmy

Related Phrases

• "The first victory of the Republic": A common historical epithet for the battle, highlighting its political importance for the fledgling French Republic.

Noun

1. the French defeated the Austrian and Prussian troops in 1792 (with a famous cannonade from the French artillery)