Free Translator Free Translator
Translators Dictionaries Courses Other
Home
English Dictionary      examples: 'day', 'get rid of', 'New York Bay'




Ambush   /ˈæmbˌʊʃ/   Listen
noun
Ambush  n.  
1.
A disposition or arrangement of troops for attacking an enemy unexpectedly from a concealed station. Hence: Unseen peril; a device to entrap; a snare. "Heaven, whose high walls fear no assault or siege Or ambush from the deep."
2.
A concealed station, where troops or enemies lie in wait to attack by surprise. "Bold in close ambush, base in open field."
3.
The troops posted in a concealed place, for attacking by surprise; liers in wait. (Obs.) "The ambush arose quickly out of their place."
To lay an ambush, to post a force in ambush.



verb
Ambush  v. t.  (past & past part. ambushed; pres. part. ambushing)  
1.
To station in ambush with a view to surprise an enemy. "By ambushed men behind their temple laid, We have the king of Mexico betrayed."
2.
To attack by ambush; to waylay.



Ambush  v. i.  To lie in wait, for the purpose of attacking by surprise; to lurk. "Nor saw the snake that ambushed for his prey."






Collaborative International Dictionary of English 0.48








Advanced search
     Find words:
Starting with
Ending with
Containing
Matching a pattern  

Synonyms
Antonyms
Quotes
Words linked to  

only single words



Share |





"Ambush" Quotes from Famous Books



... about three weeks since I persuaded our captain to draw down to the vicinity of Frosinone, in hopes of entrapping some of its principal inhabitants, and compelling them to a ransom. We were lying in ambush towards evening, not far from the vineyard of Rosetta's father. I stole quietly from my companions, and drew near to reconnoitre the place of her ...
— Tales of a Traveller • Washington Irving

... sufficiently numerous, as was supposed, was sent out to take it, leaving a strong garrison in the fort, and marched off, well prepared to effect their object. But on their way they were surrounded by the French and Indians, who lay in ambush to deceive them, and were driven off the bank of the river into a place called the "Devil's Hole," together with their horses, carriages, artillery, and every thing pertaining to the army. Not a single man escaped being driven off, and of the whole number one only was fortunate enough ...
— A Narrative of the Life of Mrs. Mary Jemison • James E. Seaver

... artists are these delicate creatures, both these ladies were secretly in ambush, Lucy to learn whether Eve and David were hurt or surprised at not being invited of late, and why she and he had not called since; Eve to find out what was the cause David and she had been so suddenly dropped: was ...
— Love Me Little, Love Me Long • Charles Reade

... wear the enemy out at last. As he always put off a battle, he was called Cunctator, or the Delayer; but at last he had the Carthaginians enclosed as in a trap in the valley of the river Vulturnus, and hoped to cut them off, posting men in ambush to fall on them on their morning's march. Hannibal guessed that this must be the plan; and at night he had the cattle in the camp collected, fastened torches to their horns, and drove them up the hills. The Romans, fancying ...
— Young Folks' History of Rome • Charlotte Mary Yonge

... life and death. And then for the first time a dreadful thought occurred to her. What if after all there should be a battle? She had only thought of giving Perez warning, so he might fly with his men, but what if he should take advantage of it to prepare an ambush and fight? She had not thought of that. Jonathan was with the expedition. What if she should prove to be the murderer of her brother? What had she done? Sick at heart, she lay awake trembling till dawn. Then she got up and dressed, and waited about ...
— The Duke of Stockbridge • Edward Bellamy


More quotes...



Copyright © 2024 Free-Translator.com