GABION

Etymology

Noun

gabion (plural gabions)

(historical, military) A cylindrical basket or cage of wicker which was filled with earth or stones and used in fortifications and other engineering work (a precursor to the sandbag).

A woven wire mesh unit, sometimes rectangular, made from a continuous mesh panel and filled with stones sometimes coated with polyvinyl chloride.

(civil engineering) A porous metal cylinder filled with stones and used in a variety of civil engineering contexts, especially in the construction of retaining walls, the reinforcing of steep slopes, or in the prevention of erosion in river banks.

A knickknack, objet d'art, curiosity, collectable.

Anagrams

• bagnio

Source: Wiktionary


Ga"bi*on, n.Etym: [F., from It. gabbione a large cage, gabion, from gabbia cage, L. cavea. See Cage.]

1. (Fort.)

Definition: A hollow cylinder of wickerwork, like a basket without a bottom. Gabions are made of various sizes, and filled with earth in building fieldworks to shelter men from an enemy's fire.

2. (Hydraul. Engin.)

Definition: An openwork frame, as of poles, filled with stones and sunk, to assist in forming a bar dyke, etc., as in harbor improvement.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition



RESET




Word of the Day

28 June 2025

ALLERGIC

(adjective) having an allergy or peculiar or excessive susceptibility (especially to a specific factor); “allergic children”; “hypersensitive to pollen”


coffee icon

Coffee Trivia

According to WorldAtlas, Finland is the biggest coffee consumer in the entire world. The average Finn will consume 12 kg of coffee each year.

coffee icon