glacis

noun

gla·​cis gla-ˈsē How to pronounce glacis (audio) ˈgla-sē How to pronounce glacis (audio)
plural glacis gla-ˈsēz How to pronounce glacis (audio)
ˈgla-sēz
1
a
: a gentle slope : incline
b
: a slope that runs downward from a fortification
2

Examples of glacis in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Forming a strong glacis in Europe’s east will require the United States to incorporate Ukraine into the U.S.-led defensive perimeter. A. Wess Mitchell, Foreign Affairs, 5 July 2023 If a large laser takes five seconds to burn through a tank’s glacis plate, a modern chemical energy gun can engage two separate targets in the same amount of time. Kyle Mizokami, Popular Mechanics, 19 Mar. 2020 Instead, the succeeding Jewish kingdom under Hasmonean rule cut into the glacis during construction in later years. National Geographic, 22 Apr. 2016

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'glacis.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

French, from glacer to freeze, slide

First Known Use

1672, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of glacis was in 1672

Dictionary Entries Near glacis

Cite this Entry

“Glacis.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/glacis. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on glacis

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!