What does enfilade mean?
The term enfilade refers to a line of fire that can be brought to bear along a long, narrow, and often winding path. This can be a corridor, a series of rooms, or any other long and narrow area. In military contexts, enfilade is a strategic advantage that allows an attacker to bring fire to bear on a defender's position from the side or rear. The term is derived from the French word 'enfiler', meaning to thread or string. Enfilade is a useful term in military strategy and tactics, and is often used in historical and military contexts.
nounA line of fire that can be brought to bear along a long, narrow, and often winding path, such as a corridor or a series of rooms.
- A line of fire that can be brought to bear along a long, narrow, and often winding path.
"The enemy's enfilade of our position made it difficult to defend."
"The enemy's enfilade of our position made it difficult to defend."
"The enfilade of the corridor made it easy to attack the enemy's flank."
The plural form of enfilade is used to refer to multiple lines of fire.
"The enemy's enfilades of our position made it difficult to defend."
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of enfilade
The term enfilade is derived from the French word 'enfiler', meaning to thread or string. This refers to the idea of threading a line of fire along a long and narrow path.
Usage notes
In military contexts, enfilade refers to a line of fire that can be brought to bear along a long, narrow, and often winding path. This can be a corridor, a series of rooms, or any other long and narrow area.