Definition

1. Noun:

   • Gunfire directed along the length of a formation: In military terminology, an enfilade is a line of fire that rakes a target, such as a trench, column, or fortification, along its longest axis. This positioning makes the fire exceptionally effective.

2. Verb:

   • To rake with gunfire in a lengthwise direction: The action of directing fire so that it sweeps along the length of a target formation or position.

Usage Examples

• Noun:

  • The machine gun nest was positioned to deliver a deadly enfilade down the length of the enemy trench.*
  • The attacking troops were caught in a brutal enfilade from the fortified hillside.*

• Verb:

  • The artillery was able to enfilade the entire column from its flanking position.*
  • A well-placed bunker can enfilade the approach to the bridge.*

Advanced Usage

• "Enfilade fire": This is a common collocation specifying the type of gunfire.
  • The defenders used enfilade fire to devastating effect against the advancing infantry.

Variants and Related Words

• Enfilading (adj): Describing fire or a position that allows for enfilade.
  • They took heavy casualties from enfilading machine-gun fire.

Synonyms

• Rake (verb): To sweep with gunfire.
• Flanking fire (noun): Fire directed at the side or flank of a formation, often overlapping with the concept of enfilade.

Notes on Meaning

The core concept is longitudinal alignment. Whether used as a noun or a verb, "enfilade" specifically refers to the tactical advantage gained by firing along the long dimension of a target, as opposed to firing across it (which is called "defilade" fire). Its usage is almost exclusively military or historical.

Noun

1. gunfire directed along the length rather than the breadth of a formation

Verb

1. rake or be in a position to rake with gunfire in a lengthwise direction