What is "escarp"

Escarp \Es*carp"\, n. [F. escarpe (cf. Sp. escarpa, It. scarpa), fr. escarper to cut steep, cut to a slope, prob. of German origin: cf. G. scharf sharp,, E. sharp, or perh. scrape.] (Fort.) The side of the ditch next the parapet; -- same as scarp, and opposed to counterscarp.

Escarp \Es*carp"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Escarped; p. pr. & vb. n. Escarping.] (Mil.) To make into, or furnish with, a steep slope, like that of a scrap.
--Carleton.

"steep slope," especially as part of a fortification, 1680s, from French escarpe (16c.), from Italian scarpa (see scarp).

n. The side of the ditch next to the parapet in a fortification; the scarp. vb. (context transitive English) To make into, or furnish with, a steep slope, like that of a scarp.

n. a steep artificial slope in front of a fortification [syn: escarpment, scarp, protective embankment]