breastwork

breastwork

[′brest‚wərk]

(ordnance)

Earthwork, constructed wholly or partly above the surface of the ground, which gives protection for defenders in a standing position, firing over the crest.

McGraw-Hill Dictionary of Scientific & Technical Terms, 6E, Copyright © 2003 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.

breastwork

1. Masonry work for a chimney breast.

2. The parapet of a building.

3. A defensive wall, hastily constructed, about breast high, often protecting the summit of a mound.

McGraw-Hill Dictionary of Architecture and Construction. Copyright © 2003 by McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.