am´bush|er

am|bush «AM bush», noun, verb.

–n.

1. the place where soldiers or other persons are hidden so that they can make a surprise attack on an approaching enemy: »

The soldiers lay in ambush, waiting for the signal to open fire.

2. a surprise attack on an approaching enemy from some hiding place; act or condition of lying in wait to attack: »

to trap an enemy by ambush.

3. soldiers or others hidden to make such a surprise attack.

–v.t.

1. to attack unexpectedly and from a hidden position: »

Our men ambushed the retreating enemy.

SYNONYM(S): waylay, ambuscade.

2. Archaic. to put (soldiers or others) in hiding for a surprise attack: »

The major ambushed his troops in the woods on either side of the road.

–v.i.

to wait in hiding to make a surprise attack.

╂[< Middle French embusche < Old French embuscher < en- in + busche wood, bush < Vulgar Latin būsca]

–am´bush|er, noun.