ambuscade

Definition

An ambush; a trap laid for an enemy.

Etymology

From French embuscade, from Italian imboscata from the past participle of imboscare (“to ambush”), from Vulgar Latin *imbosco (“I hide, ambush”) (see there for more), from Frankish *busk (“bush”), from Proto-Germanic *buskaz (“bush, heavy stick”). Compare ambush. More at bush.

Example Sentences

• "The plot of the tragedy at hand was the very old one of the decoy and the ambuscade […]"
• "The yellow cat deliberately stretched himself, yawned, and followed; and proceeded to carry out a wonderful scheme of feints and ambuscades in regard to a ping-pong ball which was kept for his proper diversion."
• "Accordingly an army was sent into Corea. It met the Japanese before the walls of Pʻing Jang (平壤), where it was annihilated and its commander, Tsu Chʻêng-hsun, (祖承訓), barely escaped with his life. The next Chinese army under the command of Li Ju-sung (李如松), fresh from a successful campaign against a Mongol rebel in Ning Hsia (甯夏), gained a victory over the Japanese in Pʻing Jang; but, elated by this success, the Chinese general allowed himself to be led into an ambuscade near Seoul and overthrown (1593)."