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glacis definition

gla·cis (glā′sis, glas′is)

noun pl. glacis -·cis′ (-sēz′) or glacises -·cises (-sis iz)

  1. a gradual slope
  2. an embankment sloping gradually up to a fortification, so as to expose attackers to defending gunfire

Etymology: Fr < OFr glacier, to slip < glace, ice < VL glacia: see glacier

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2005 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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