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