ˈvaləm, ˈwäˌlu̇m noun
( plural val·la -_lə, -(ˌ)lä ; or val·lums )
Etymology: Latin — more at wall
: a defensive wall of earth, sod, or stone : rampart ; specifically : an earthwork surmounted by a palisade especially as constructed by the ancient Romans from dirt thrown up from a surrounding fosse