What is "point d'appui"

Point d'appui \Point` d'ap`pui"\ [F.] (Mil.) See under Appui.

Appui \Ap`pui"\, n. [F., fr. L. ad + podium foothold, Gr. ?, dim. of ?, ?, foot.]

1. A support or supporter; a stay; a prop. [Obs.]

   If a vine be to climb trees that are of any great height, there would be stays and appuies set to it.
   --Holland.

2. (Man.) The mutual bearing or support of the hand of the rider and the mouth of the horse through the bit and bridle. Point d'appui. [F., a point of support.] (Mil.)

   1. A given point or body, upon which troops are formed, or by which are marched in line or column.

   2. An advantageous defensive support, as a castle, morass, wood, declivity, etc.

   3. any point of support or basis of operations, as a rallying point.

n. 1 (context military English) A given point or body upon which troops are formed, or by which they are marched in line or column. 2 (context military English) An advantageous defensive support; a foothold.

A point d'appui (French for fulcrum), in military theory, is a location where troops are assembled prior to a battle. Often a monument is erected to commemorate the point d'appui for notable battles. In some battles there may be more than a single point d'appui.