breastwork

Definition

A fortification consisting of a breast-high bulwark; a parapet.

Etymology

From breast + work.

Example Sentences

• "Before long we had flung enough sand-bags into place to make a low breastwork behind which the few men who were on this side of the position could lie down and fire."
• "A cannonproof breastwork, built during the previous war, extended along the beach from the hills to the rocks."
• "The Independencia is a two-turreted, breastwork ship of 9,000 tons displacement. […] The central breastwork is 130 feet in length at the top of the belt, and extends to the upper deck, 11 feet above the water-line. This breastwork incloses the boiler and engine hatches, the scuttles to magazines and shell-rooms, the principal openings for ventilation, and the two turrets."