Definition

1. Noun:
   • A defensive ditch, typically filled with water: A "fosse" is a long, narrow trench dug around a fortification, such as a castle or fortress, as a defensive barrier. It is usually filled with water to form a moat, hindering attackers.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The ancient castle was protected by a deep fosse.
  • Archaeologists discovered the remains of a medieval fosse surrounding the hillfort.

Advanced Usage

• Historical/Military Context: The term is primarily used in historical, archaeological, or military discussions concerning fortifications.
  • The design of the bastion included a dry fosse on its landward side.

Variants and Related Words

• Foss (n): An archaic or alternative spelling of "fosse."
• Moat (n): A broad and deep ditch, typically filled with water, surrounding a fortified place. While similar, a "moat" is often broader and more specifically associated with water than a "fosse," which can sometimes be dry.
• Ditch (n): A general term for a long, narrow excavation in the ground. A "fosse" is a specific type of defensive ditch.

Synonyms

• Moat: A defensive trench filled with water.
• Trench: A long, narrow ditch.
• Ditch: An excavated channel in the ground.

Related Phrases

• To cross the fosse: To traverse this defensive obstacle, often implying a military assault.
  • The army used portable bridges to cross the fosse.

Related Idioms

Noun

1. ditch dug as a fortification and usually filled with water