noun B2 Upper-Intermediate

glacis

GLAY-sis

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Glacis (noun) means a gentle slope, sometimes formed naturally by material being deposited or worn away. Example: “The path followed a long glacis down towards the river.”

noun

A gentle slope, sometimes formed naturally by material being deposited or worn away.

"The path followed a long glacis down towards the river."

"Geologists studied the glacis at the foot of the hill."

"Rain had smoothed the glacis over many years."

formal A gentle slope built in front of a fort so that attackers are exposed to defensive fire while the fort itself is shielded from cannon fire.

"Attackers crossing the glacis were fully visible to the defenders above."

"The old fortress still has its glacis largely intact."

"Cannon fire from the walls swept across the glacis."

How to use glacis

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA gentle slope, especially one built to protect and defend an old fort.

When to use it

Outside its military and geological uses, the word is quite formal and not common in everyday speech.

Memory tip

Say it as GLAY-sis, not with a soft French g sound, when speaking English.

Trace the full origin ↓

Common pairings

the glacis of a fortress cross the glacis sloping glacis glacis plate

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C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

Test yourself on “glacis” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage →

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

The path followed a long _____ down towards the river.

Etymology

The word was borrowed from French glacis, meaning a slippery surface, which came from Old French glacier, meaning to glide or to freeze. That in turn traces back to Latin glaciare, to freeze, from glacies, meaning ice.

Origin: French

Synonyms

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talus

Related words

talus astragalus anklebone astragal tali scree

Frequently asked questions

What does glacis mean?

It means a gentle slope, and in a military or architectural context it refers to a sloped bank built in front of a fort.

Why did forts have a glacis?

The slope shielded the fort's walls from cannon fire while leaving attackers exposed to fire from the defenders above.

How is glacis pronounced?

Both GLAY-sis and GLASS-ee (like "glassy") are used in British and American English.

What is the meaning of glacis?

"glacis" (noun) means a gentle slope, sometimes formed naturally by material being deposited or worn away.

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