ravelin

A soldier stands guard atop the ravelin overlooking the dry moat.

Definition

Noun: - Military fortification: A "ravelin" is a triangular or V-shaped outwork that forms part of a defensive fortification system. It is typically positioned in front of the main defensive wall (curtain wall) to protect it from direct enemy fire and to cover the entrance of a fortress.

Usage Examples

• (A triangular defensive structure protecting the entrance.)
• (An outwork placed in front of the wall for added defense.)

Advanced Usage

• "Ravelin in siege warfare": In historical military architecture, a ravelin was often used to create a killing field for defenders, forcing attackers into a narrow area where they could be targeted from multiple angles.
  • During the siege, the ravelin absorbed the brunt of the cannon fire, allowing the main fortress to remain intact. (The outwork took the initial damage.)

Variants and Related Words

• Ravelin-like (adj): resembling or functioning as a ravelin.
  • The modern defensive barrier had a ravelin-like shape to deflect projectiles. (Shaped similarly to a triangular outwork.)

Synonyms

• Outwork: a minor defensive structure outside a main fortification.
• Bastion (different but related): a projecting part of a fortification, often larger and more complex than a ravelin.

Related Idioms

• "No ravelin in the plan": A rare expression meaning a lack of defensive preparation or backup.
  • The team had no ravelin in the plan, so the project was vulnerable to criticism. (No protective measure in place.)