Ravelin
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The following article is from The Great Soviet Encyclopedia (1979). It might be outdated or ideologically biased.
Ravelin
a separate enclosed triangular fortification work, situated in front of the moat, in the interval between the bastions.
The ravelin was designed to cover a section of the fortress wall (curtain), the fortress gates, and other structures from artillery fire and attacks of the enemy. It was also used for cross fire at the approaches to the perimeter of the fortress, for fire support for neighboring bastions, and for an assembly point for troop sallies. Ravelins were used from the 16th to early 20th centuries.
The Great Soviet Encyclopedia, 3rd Edition (1970-1979). © 2010 The Gale Group, Inc. All rights reserved.
ravelin, demilune
In fortifications, a projecting outwork forming a salient angle.
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of Architecture and Construction. Copyright © 2003 by McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.