scarp
/skɑ:p/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Noun:
- A steep artificial slope in front of a fortification: A man-made, steeply sloping defensive structure, often part of a castle wall or trench system, designed to hinder attackers.
- A long, steep slope or cliff at the edge of a plateau or ridge; usually formed by erosion: A natural, prominent escarpment or cliff face, typically created by geological processes like faulting or erosion.
Examples of Usage
- Noun:
- The ancient castle's scarp made it nearly impossible for enemies to scale the walls.
- The hikers stood at the edge of the scarp, looking down at the vast valley below.
Advanced Usage
- "To scarp" (verb, rare/technical): To cut or make into a steep slope.
- The engineers scarped the hillside to prevent landslides.
- "Scarp slope": The steep face of a cuesta (a ridge with a gentle slope on one side and a steep slope on the other).
- The scarp slope of the ridge was covered in loose scree.
Variants and Related Words
- Escarpment (n): A long, steep slope, especially one at the edge of a plateau or separating areas of land at different heights. This is a very close synonym for the natural geological meaning of "scarp."
- Counterscarp (n): The outer wall or slope of a ditch in a fortification, facing away from the defended area. This is a related term in military engineering.
Synonyms
- Cliff: A steep rock face, especially at the edge of the sea.
- Bluff: A steep cliff or bank, typically by a river or the sea.
- Precipice: A very steep rock face or cliff.
- Escarpment: (See above).
Related Phrases
- "Scarp and counterscarp": A phrase describing the two opposing slopes of a defensive ditch in fortifications.
- The fortress's defenses included a deep ditch with a scarp and counterscarp.
Noun
- a steep artificial slope in front of a fortification
- a long steep slope or cliff at the edge of a plateau or ridge; usually formed by erosion