siege-engine
Wall-smashing war machine
A siege-engine is a large military device used in ancient and medieval warfare to attack fortifications.
Battering rams breached gates, catapults and trebuchets hurled projectiles over walls, and siege towers allowed soldiers to scale defenses.
The term now appears mainly in historical contexts and fantasy fiction: The army rolled its siege-engines into position.
Counterweight-powered projectile launcher
- catapultSiege engine for launching
- ballistaAncient projectile siege engine
- battering ramHeavy beam for breaching
- mangonelTorsion-powered medieval catapult
onager · scorpion · counterweight · torsion · winch · pulley · axle · frame
Breaking of agreement
- bombardmentSustained projectile assault
- barrageSustained, overwhelming attack
- salvoSimultaneous weapons discharge
- volleySimultaneous firing burst
escalade · sapping · mining · enfilade · investment · blockade · assault · storming
Large weathered stone
- stoneSolid earth fragment
- missileSelf-guided airborne weapon
- boltThreaded rod for nuts
- quarrelAngry verbal dispute
fireball · Greek fire · incendiary · payload · shot · ammunition · debris · carcass
Fortified defensive wall
- bastionFortified defensive position
- curtain wallNon-load-bearing outer shell
- battlementToothed fortress wall crown
- parapetLow wall at edge
gatehouse · barbican · tower · keep · embrasure · crenellation · murder hole · drawbridge
trebuchet
Counterweight-powered projectile launcher
- catapultSiege engine for launching
- ballistaAncient projectile siege engine
- battering ramHeavy beam for breaching
mangonel · onager · scorpion · counterweight · torsion · winch · pulley · axle · frame · beam
breach
Breaking of agreement
- bombardmentSustained projectile assault
- barrageSustained, overwhelming attack
- salvoSimultaneous weapons discharge
volley · escalade · sapping · mining · enfilade · investment · blockade · assault · storming · battery
boulder
Large weathered stone
quarrel · fireball · Greek fire · incendiary · payload · shot · ammunition · debris · carcass
rampart
Fortified defensive wall
- bastionFortified defensive position
- curtain wallNon-load-bearing outer shell
- battlementToothed fortress wall crown
parapet · gatehouse · barbican · tower · keep · embrasure · crenellation · murder hole · drawbridge · portcullis
sapper
Military construction soldier
- artillerymanSoldier operating heavy weaponry
- crewWorking team aboard
- bombardierPlane's payload releaser
pioneer · miner · craftsman · carpenter · builder · operator · team · garrison · defender
siege-enginefortification
Strengthening defenses or nutrients
defensive wall · rampart · bulwark · battlement · parapet
siege-enginecastle
Fortified medieval residence
fortress · citadel · stronghold · keep · city walls
engine, engineer, siege, engineering, besiege, engines, besieged, engined, sieging