antemural
|an-te-mu-ral|
🇺🇸
/ˌæn.təˈmʊr.əl/
🇬🇧
/ˌæn.tɪˈmjuː.rəl/
defensive outer wall
Etymology
'antemural' originates from Latin, specifically the elements 'ante' and 'murus', where 'ante-' meant 'before' and 'murus' meant 'wall'.
'antemural' entered English from Medieval/Neo-Latin forms such as 'antemuralis' (or phrases combining 'ante' + 'murus') and was adopted into English to denote an outer defensive wall.
Initially, it literally meant 'a wall before' (an outer wall); over time it also came to be used figuratively for any protection or safeguard placed before something.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a fortification or defensive work built in front of the main walls of a town, castle, or fortress (an outwork or forward defensive wall).
The garrison strengthened the antemural to slow any approaching army.
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Noun 2
anything that serves as a protection or defense (figuratively, a safeguard placed before something else).
The new regulations acted as an antemural against financial malpractice.
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Last updated: 2025/08/22 07:07