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Added 9 October 2026

trench

/ˈtɹɛnt͡ʃ/ noun

Categories: ThingsNatureUncommon Words

In Latin: fossa, scrobis Wiktionary

noun Definition from WordNet 3.1, Princeton University. Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about trench at Wordnik → Where our words come from →

  1. A ditch dug as a fortification having a parapet of the excavated earth.
  2. A long steep-sided depression in the ocean floor.
  3. Any long ditch cut in the ground.

verb

  1. Impinge or infringe upon.
    This impinges on my rights as an individual
  2. Fortify by surrounding with trenches.
    He trenched his military camp
  3. Cut or carve deeply into.
    letters trenched into the stone

Origin

Borrowed into Middle English from Old French trenche. Doublet of tranche and traunch. Possible doublet of English: truncate

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

Related Words: ditchentrenchimpingeencroachfosseholepitexcavationfoxholecavitytroughmoat

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