Definition

Verb (transitive): 1. To face or line a structure with a protective layer: To cover or strengthen a slope, embankment, wall, or other structure with a layer of stone, concrete, masonry, or other durable material to prevent erosion, provide support, or retain earth. 2. To construct a revetment: To build a retaining structure, especially a sloped facing, for defensive or engineering purposes.

Usage and Examples

• The engineers had to revet the riverbank with large stones to stop it from collapsing during the flood season.
• Ancient fortifications were often reveted with thick masonry to withstand attacks.
• The construction plan includes revetting the steep cutting along the new railway line with concrete panels.

Advanced Usage

• Technical/Engineering Context: The term is most commonly used in civil engineering, geology, and military engineering. It describes a specific construction technique for stabilization.
  • The manual details how to properly revet an earthen dam to ensure its long-term integrity.
• Passive Voice: Frequently used in the passive voice to describe the state of a structure.
  • The entire sea wall was reveted in granite.

Variants and Related Words

• Revetment (noun): The protective facing or retaining structure itself.
  • They built a stone revetment along the canal.
• Revetting (noun/gerund): The action or process of constructing a revetment; the material used for this purpose.
  • The revetting of the embankment took three months to complete.

Synonyms

• Face: To cover the surface of a structure with a different material.
• Line: To cover the inner surface of a structure.
• Clad: To cover with a protective or decorative layer. (Note: "Clad" is more general, while "revet" is specific to slopes and earth-retaining structures.)
• Fortify: To strengthen a defensive position, which may involve revetting.

Antonyms

• Undermine: To erode or wear away the base or support of a structure.
• Excavate: To dig out and remove earth, the opposite of building a structure to retain it.

Verb

1. face with a layer of stone or concrete or other supporting material so as to retain
   • face an embankment
2. construct a revetment