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Added 9 October 2026

bivouac

/ˈbɪv.u.æk/ noun

noun Definition from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA). Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about bivouac at Wordnik → Where our words come from →

An encampment for the night, usually without tents or covering.
Any temporary encampment.
A temporary shelter constructed generally for a few nights.

verb

To set up camp.
We'll bivouac here tonight.
To watch at night or be on guard, as a whole army.
To encamp for the night without tents or covering.

Origin

Unadapted borrowing from French bivouac (earlier biouac, bivac), from Alemannic German Biiwacht (“reinforcements of guard or town watch”), from bii- + Wacht (“watch, guard”).

From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)

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