1.
[syn: abattis, abatis]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
Abatis \Ab"a*tis\, Abattis \Aba"t*tis\, ([a^]b"[.a]*t[i^]s;
French [.a]`b[.a]`t[=e]") n. [F. abatis, abattis, mass of
things beaten or cut down, fr. abattre. See Abate.] (Fort.)
A means of defense formed by felled trees, the ends of whose
branches are sharpened and directed outwards, or against the
enemy.
[1913 Webster]
WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):
abattis
n 1: a line of defense consisting of a barrier of felled or live
trees with branches (sharpened or with barbed wire
entwined) pointed toward the enemy [syn: abattis,
abatis]