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trenches

/ˈtɹɛnt͡ʃɪz/

noun

Meaning

  • A long, narrow ditch or hole dug in the ground.

  • A narrow excavation as used in warfare, as a cover for besieging or emplaced forces.

  • A pit, usually rectangular with smooth walls and floor, excavated during an archaeological investigation.

  • A trench coat.

verb

Meaning

  • (usually followed by upon) To invade, especially with regard to the rights or the exclusive authority of another; to encroach.

  • (infantry) To excavate an elongated pit for protection of soldiers and or equipment, usually perpendicular to the line of sight toward the enemy.

  • To excavate an elongated and often narrow pit.

  • To have direction; to aim or tend.

  • To cut; to form or shape by cutting; to make by incision, hewing, etc.

  • To cut furrows or ditches in.

    "to trench land for the purpose of draining it"

  • To dig or cultivate very deeply, usually by digging parallel contiguous trenches in succession, filling each from the next.

    "to trench a garden for certain crops"

noun

Meaning

  • The front line of any field of endeavor, as the line of scrimmage in American football, patrol duty for a policeman.