embuscade

ambush

noun ahm-bews-KAHD Rare

Origin: Old Italian imboscata (hiding in the woods)

Usage Note

embuscade describes a surprise attack from a concealed position. The related verb is tendre une embuscade (to set an ambush) or tomber dans une embuscade (to fall into an ambush). It is used in both military contexts and figuratively for any deceptive trap.

Examples

"Les soldats sont tombés dans une embuscade."

Natural Translation

The soldiers fell into an ambush.

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