A level space where a battery of guns is mounted.
- Guns usually stood on a flat terreplein, shooting over a wide earth parapet which was intended to absorb incoming fire, although they might also fire through splayed embrasures, or be housed in vaulted casemates on a lower storey.
- From behind the grass covered ramparts above, mortars and heavy guns on the surrounding terreplein would provide heavy bombardment against the enemy.
- The Medieval walls without flanks and terreplein to resist gunpowder bombardment were easy prey to the besiegers and the fortifications soon succumbed.
Late 16th century (denoting a sloping bank behind a rampart): from French terre-plein, from Italian terrapieno 'filled with earth'.
Words that rhyme with terrepleinairplane
For editors and proofreaders
Line breaks: terre|plein
Definition of terreplein in:
What do you find interesting about this word or phrase?
Comments that don't adhere to our Community Guidelines may be moderated or removed.