I. ˈamˌbu̇sh, ˈaam- verb
( -ed/-ing/-es )
Etymology: Middle English embushen, abushen, from Old French embuschier to place in ambush, from en in (from Latin in ) + -buschier, from busche stick of firewood, probably of Germanic origin; akin to Middle High German būsch cudgel — more at in , boast
transitive verb
1. : to station in ambush
he ambushed his force in a canebrake — J.F.H.Claiborne
2. : to lie in wait for and attack by surprise : waylay
units in superior strength had ambushed … the 2d and 19th regiments — R.C.Cameron
intransitive verb
: to lie in wait : lurk
imaginary persons ambushed in the fog — Marguerite Young
II. noun
( -es )
Etymology: Middle French embusche, from Old French, from embuschier, v.
1.
a. : a hidden or concealed station of troops lying in wait to attack an enemy by surprise
attempt of a … boy to warn them of an ambush over the brow of the hill — Mary Gregoire
b. : the body of troops lying in wait for an enemy
2.
a. : a hidden or concealed position
trapped, baited, and shot from ambush like a criminal — D.C.Peattie
b. : a person occupying a concealed position
3. : the act of lying in wait in or of attacking by surprise from a concealed position