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Webster 1913 Edition

Ambush

Am′bush

(ăm′boŏsh)
,
Noun.
[F.
embûche
, fr. the verb. See
Ambush
,
Verb.
T.
]
1.
A disposition or arrangement of troops for attacking an enemy unexpectedly from a concealed station. Hence: Unseen peril; a device to entrap; a snare.
Heaven, whose high walls fear no assault or siege
Or
ambush
from the deep.
Milton.
2.
A concealed station, where troops or enemies lie in wait to attack by surprise.
Bold in close
ambush
, base in open field.
Dryden.
3.
The troops posted in a concealed place, for attacking by surprise; liers in wait.
[Obs.]
The
ambush
arose quickly out of their place.
Josh. viii. 19.
To lay an ambush
,
to post a force in ambush.

Am′bush

(ăm′boŏsh)
,
Verb.
T.
[
imp. & p. p.
Ambushed
(ăm′boŏshd)
;
p. pr. & vb. n.
Ambushing
.]
[OE.
enbussen
,
enbushen
, OF.
embushier
,
embuissier
, F.
embûcher
,
embusquer
, fr. LL.
imboscare
;
in
+ LL.
boscus
,
buscus
, a wood; akin to G.
bush
, E.
bush
. See
Ambuscade
,
Bush
.]
1.
To station in ambush with a view to surprise an enemy.
By
ambushed
men behind their temple laid,
We have the king of Mexico betrayed.
Dryden.
2.
To attack by ambush; to waylay.

Am′bush

,
Verb.
I.
To lie in wait, for the purpose of attacking by surprise; to lurk.
Nor saw the snake that
ambushed
for his prey.
Trumbull.

Webster 1828 Edition

Ambush

AM'BUSH

, n.
1.
A private or concealed station, where troops lie in wait to attack their enemy by surprise.
2.
The state of lying concealed, for the purpose of attacking by surprise; a lying in wait.
3.
The troops posted in a concealed place for attacking by surprise.
Lay thee an ambush for the city. Josh. 8.

AM'BUSH

,
Verb.
T.
To lie in wait for; to surprise, by assailing unexpectedly from a concealed place.

AM'BUSH

,
Verb.
I.
To lie in wait, for the purpose of attacking by surprise.
Nor saw the snake, that ambushed for his prey.

Definition 2024

ambush

ambush

English

Noun

ambush ‎(plural ambushes)

  1. The act of concealing oneself and lying in wait to attack by surprise.
  2. An attack launched from a concealed position.
    • Milton
      Heaven, whose high walls fear no assault or siege / Or ambush from the deep.
  3. The troops posted in a concealed place, for attacking by surprise; those who lie in wait.
    • Bible, Josh. viii. 19
      The ambush arose quickly out of their place.

Derived terms

Translations

Verb

ambush ‎(third-person singular simple present ambushes, present participle ambushing, simple past and past participle ambushed)

  1. (transitive) To station in ambush with a view to surprise an enemy.
    • Dryden
      By ambushed men behind their temple laid / We have the king of Mexico betrayed.
  2. (transitive) To attack by ambush; to waylay.

Translations

Etymology

From Old French verb enbuscier, anbuchier (whence the Middle French noun embusche), from Old French en- + Vulgar Latin boscus, bosca, boscum ‎(“wood”), from Frankish *boscu, *busk ‎(“bush”), from Proto-Germanic *busk- ‎(“bush, heavy stick”). Compare ambuscade. The change to am- from earlier forms in en- is unexplained. More at bush.

Pronunciation

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