[es.carp.ment] n [F escarpement, fr. escarper to scarp, fr. MF, fr. escarpe scarp, fr. OIt scarpa--more at scarp] (ca. 1802) 1: a steep slope in front of a fortification
2: a long cliff or steep slope separating two comparatively level or more gently sloping surfaces and resulting from erosion or faulting