Rampart (redirected from ramparts)

rampart [′ram‚pärt]

(geology)

A narrow, wall-like ridge, 3-7 feet (1-2 meters) high, built up by waves along the seaward edge of a reef flat, and consisting of boulders, shingle, gravel, or reef rubble, commonly capped by dune sand.

A wall-like ridge of unconsolidated material formed along a beach by the action of strong waves and current.

A crescentic or ringlike deposit of pyroclastics around the top of a volcano.

---

rampart

An elevated earthen wall for purposes of defense, located on the inner side of a ditch surrounding a bastioned fort.

---

Rampart 

a high earthen embankment, usually with a ditch in front, which served as a barrier against an attacking enemy, as a defensive position for infantry and artillery, and as a shield against precision fire and observation. Ramparts adapted for artillery armament were called artillery ramparts; those intended only for infantry fire were called rifle ramparts. Ramparts were widely used in the fortification of populated areas and fortresses and in covering borders until World War I. A rampart consisted of a breastwork and a parapet. The breastwork served to cover the combat position. The parapet was built in two levels; the upper level was usually used for the mounting of the guns and was called the artillery parapet, and the lower level was used for the movement of guns and men and was called the communications parapet.