ambuscade

noun

am·bus·cade | \ˈam-bə-ˌskād,

ˌam-bə-ˈ\

Definition of ambuscade

Other Words from ambuscade Synonyms Did You Know? Example Sentences Learn More about ambuscade

Keep scrolling for more

Did You Know?

Ambuscade derives from Middle French embuscade, a modification of an Old Italian word formed by combining the prefix in- and the Latin noun bosco, meaning "forest." This is appropriate, since many such surprise attacks have involved the attacking force hiding out in and emerging from a wooded area. "Ambuscade" has not changed in meaning since General Washington’s day, though nowadays we are more likely to use its synonym "ambush." That word actually took a slightly different path to English - via Middle English "embushen," from Anglo-French en- ("in-") and "busche" ("log" or "firewood") - though the two words ultimately share a relationship.

Examples of ambuscade in a Sentence

warned by one of their scouts of an Apache ambuscade, the Comanches took a different path through the mountains

Keep scrolling for more

Learn More about ambuscade

Listen to Our Podcast about ambuscade

Theme music by Joshua Stamper ©2006 New Jerusalem Music/ASCAP

Dictionary Entries near ambuscade

Statistics for ambuscade

Look-up Popularity

Time Traveler for ambuscade

The first known use of ambuscade was circa 1588

See more words from the same year

Keep scrolling for more

Comments on ambuscade

What made you want to look up ambuscade? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

WORD OF THE DAY

susurrous

full of whispering sounds

Test Your Vocabulary

Difficult Vocab Quiz

Which is a synonym of discomfit?

Test your knowledge - and maybe learn something along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ

Word Winder's CrossWinder

Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games