trench
n
2 a ditch dug as a fortification, having a parapet of the excavated earth
vb
3 to make a trench in (a place)
4 tr to fortify with a trench or trenches
6 intr; foll by: on or upon to encroach or verge,
(See also)
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trenches (C14: from Old French trenche something cut, from trenchier to cut, from Latin truncare to cut off)
oceanic trench
n a long narrow steep-sided depression in the earth's oceanic crust, usually lying above a Benioff zone
robber trench
n (Archaeol) a trench that originally contained the foundations of a wall, the stones of which have been taken away
slit trench
n (Military) a narrow trench dug for the protection of a small number of people
trench coat
n a belted double-breasted waterproof coat of gabardine, etc., resembling a military officer's coat
trench fever
n an acute infectious disease characterized by fever and muscular aches and pains, caused by the microorganism Rickettsia quintana and transmitted by the bite of a body louse
trench foot
n a form of frostbite affecting the feet of persons standing for long periods in cold water
trench knife
n a double-edged steel knife for close combat
(C20: so called because such knives were carried by patrols in the Trenches during World War I)
trench mortar
n a portable mortar used in trench warfare to shoot projectiles at a high trajectory over a short range
trench mouth
n a bacterial ulcerative disease characterized by inflammation of the tonsils, gums, etc.
(C20: so called because it was prevalent in soldiers in the Trenches during World War I)
trench warfare
n a type of warfare in which opposing armies face each other in entrenched positions