chamade

The bugler sounded the chamade to signal the retreat.

Definition

1. Noun:
   • A military signal for surrender or retreat: "chamade" refers to a drumbeat or trumpet call used in historical warfare to indicate that a besieged force wishes to parley or surrender. It is a formal signal recognized by opposing armies to cease hostilities temporarily for negotiation.

Usage Examples

• (The defending troops played the signal for surrender, allowing the attackers to enter.)
• (The fortress signaled its wish to negotiate or surrender.)

Advanced Usage

• "to beat the chamade": to sound the signal for surrender or parley.
  • The general ordered his men to beat the chamade when supplies ran out. (The commander commanded the drum call for surrender.)
• "to sound the chamade": to produce the same signal using a trumpet or other instrument.
  • The herald sounded the chamade from the ramparts. (The messenger played the surrender call from the castle walls.)

Variants and Related Words

• No common variants or compound words exist for "chamade" in modern English, as it is an archaic military term.

Synonyms

• Parley signal: a signal to request a conference between enemies.
• Surrender call: a specific drumbeat or trumpet call indicating capitulation.
• Truce signal: an audible sign of desire to temporarily stop fighting.

Phrasal Verbs

• Beat the chamade: to perform the drum signal for surrender (used historically).
  • The defenders beat the chamade to avoid further bloodshed. (They drummed the surrender signal.)
• Sound the chamade: to blow the trumpet or horn for the same purpose.
  • The officer sounded the chamade, and the siege paused. (He played the surrender call.)

Related Idioms

• No common idioms directly derive from "chamade" in English, as the term is largely obsolete outside historical or military contexts.