n.
Pronunciation: ' a-b ə - ˌ t ē , ' a-b ə -t ə s
Function: noun
Inflected Form: plural ab · a · tis \ ' a-b ə - ˌ t ē z \ or ab · a · tis · es \ ' a-b ə -t ə -s ə z \
Etymology: French, from abattre to strike down, slaughter, from Old French abatre
Date: 1766
: a defensive obstacle formed by felled trees with sharpened branches facing the enemy