terreplein

T1E1R1R1E1P3L1E1I1N1
/ˈtɛɹəpleɪn//ˈtɛə(ɹ)pleɪn/

noun

The sloping earthen embankment behind a defensive wall.

Similar
talus
OriginItalian terrapieno ← French terreplein →
Scrabble 12
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Meanings

nounterreplein (plural terrepleins)

plural terrepleins · alternative terre-plein · alternative terraplene · alternative teraplene · alternative terrepleine · alternative terraplana · alternative terraplane · alternative terraplain · alternative terreplaine · alternative terreplain

  1. obsoletegovernmentThe sloping earthen embankment behind a defensive wall.

    Synonyms: talus

  2. governmentThe level platform atop a wall, typically protected by a parapet and (strictly) distinguished from the slightly higher banquette used by its defenders.
  3. governmentAny level base used by artillery in the field.
  4. civil engineeringAny earthen embankment with a broad level top, such as those used for a canal elevated above a valley floor.

Synonyms & antonyms

nounThe sloping earthen embankment behind a defensive wall.

Similar
talus

Origin

  1. Frenchterreplein
  2. Italianterrapieno“earth-fill(ed)”
  3. Englishterreplein

Originally a borrowing of Italian terrapieno (“earth-fill(ed)”), later altered after the model of French terreplein (now terre-plein). Its former misspellings arose from confusion of the second element of the name with Italian piano or French plain, plane (“flat, level”) based on the appearance of the earth-filled central platforms of walls.

More words from Italian, French

Full word history & related roots →

Translations

Finnish vallikäytävä
  • vallikäytävälevel platform atop a wall
Cite this entry
APA

terreplein. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 4, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/terreplein

MLA

“terreplein.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/terreplein. Accessed November 4, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “terreplein,” accessed November 4, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/terreplein.

Source: terreplein on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.