AMBUSH

ambush, ambuscade, lying in wait, trap

(noun) the act of concealing yourself and lying in wait to attack by surprise

ambush, scupper, bushwhack, waylay, lurk, ambuscade, lie in wait

(verb) wait in hiding to attack

ambush, still-hunt

(verb) hunt (quarry) by stalking and ambushing

Source: WordNet® 3.1

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Etymology

Noun

ambush (plural ambushes)

The act of concealing oneself and lying in wait to attack by surprise.

An attack launched from a concealed position.

The troops posted in a concealed place, for attacking by surprise; those who lie in wait.

Verb

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

(transitive) To station in ambush with a view to surprise an enemy.

(transitive) To attack by ambush; to waylay.

Source: Wiktionary

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Am"bush, n. Etym: [F. embûche, fr. the verb. See Ambush, v. 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, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Ambushed; p. pr. & vb. n. Ambushing.] Etym: [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, Bu.]

1. To station in ambush with a view to surprise an enemy. By ambushed men behind their temple Dryden.

2. To attack by ambush; to waylay.

Am"bush, v. i.

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

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition

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