ESCARPMENT

escarpment, escarp, scarp, protective embankment

(noun) a steep artificial slope in front of a fortification

escarpment, scarp

(noun) a long steep slope or cliff at the edge of a plateau or ridge; usually formed by erosion

Source: WordNet® 3.1

Etymology

Noun

escarpment (plural escarpments)

A steep descent or declivity; steep face or edge of a ridge; ground about a fortified place, cut away nearly vertically to prevent hostile approach.

Hypernym: cliff

Source: Wiktionary

Es*carp"ment, n. Etym: [Cf. F. escarpement.]

Definition: A steep descent or declivity; steep face or edge of a ridge; ground about a fortified place, cut away nearly vertically to prevent hostile approach. See Scarp.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition