embattlement
Castle wall teeth
Embattlement is the state of being embattled—under attack, besieged, or in a defensive posture.
The word can describe literal fortification with battlements (the notched parapets of castle walls) or figurative siege: The company's embattlement by regulators and competitors left it weakened.
Less common than the adjective embattled.
Fortified defensive position
- bulwarkDefensive fortification or safeguard
- redoubtEnclosed temporary fortification
- palisadeFence of pointed stakes
- stockadeFence of sharpened stakes
entrenchment · earthwork · blockhouse · sconce · outpost · bunker · barricade · rampart
Retain or fortified tower
- gatehouseStructure over an entrance
- moatDefensive water ditch
- drawbridgeHinged castle entrance span
- baileyCastle's enclosed courtyard
portcullis · barbican · dungeon · towers · courtyard · citadel · fortress · stronghold
Land-for-service social structure
- chivalryKnightly code of honor
- heraldryStudy of armorial bearings
- knightsTitled warriors on horseback
- siege warfareSurrounding fortifications to force capitulation
castle defense · crusades · armorers · sentries · watchmen · lords · vassals · warfare
Armed conflict between groups
- artilleryLarge-caliber battlefield weapons
- cannonadeSustained artillery fire
- barrageSustained, overwhelming attack
- assaultViolent offensive act
defense · bombardment · catapult · trebuchet · battering ram · scaling ladders · archers · crossbowmen
Notched fortress parapet
- parapetsLow protective walls
- rampartsProtective fortress walls
- turretsSmall projecting towers
- loopholesExploitable ambiguities in rules
curtain wall · breastwork · notches · embrasures · crenels · stonework · masonry · walkway
bastion
Fortified defensive position
- bulwarkDefensive fortification or safeguard
- redoubtEnclosed temporary fortification
- palisadeFence of pointed stakes
stockade · entrenchment · earthwork · blockhouse · sconce · outpost · bunker · barricade · rampart · casemate
keep
Retain or fortified tower
- gatehouseStructure over an entrance
- moatDefensive water ditch
- drawbridgeHinged castle entrance span
bailey · portcullis · barbican · dungeon · towers · courtyard · citadel · fortress · stronghold · murder-holes
feudalism
Land-for-service social structure
siege warfare · castle defense · crusades · armorers · sentries · watchmen · lords · vassals · warfare · fortified
warfare
Armed conflict between groups
- artilleryLarge-caliber battlefield weapons
- cannonadeSustained artillery fire
- barrageSustained, overwhelming attack
assault · defense · bombardment · catapult · trebuchet · battering ram · scaling ladders · archers · crossbowmen · defenders
crenellations
Notched fortress parapet
loopholes · curtain wall · breastwork · notches · embrasures · crenels · stonework · masonry · walkway · fortified wall
embattlementvulnerability
Openness to harm
exposure · defenselessness · openness · disarmament · demilitarization
battle, battles, battlefield, battling, embattled, battalion, battleship, battleground, battler