ˈglasē, -si, glaˈsē, ˈglasə̇s, ˈglāsə̇s noun
( plural glacis -sēz, -siz ; also glacises -sə̇sə̇z)
Etymology: French, from Middle French, from glacer to freeze, slide, from Old French glacier, from Latin glaciare to freeze, from glacies ice — more at glacier
1.
a. : a gentle slope : incline
b. : a slope used for defense against attack ; specifically : a natural or artificial slope that runs downward from the top of a counterscarp or covered way so as to expose attackers to firing from ramparts
2.
a. : an area lying beyond the borders of a country and used as a buffer against an enemy : a protective barrier ; specifically : buffer state
b. : a combat area
the glacis on which the future of mankind will be decided — H.W.Weigert