Trou-de-loup meaning

A trou-de-loup is a type of military pit trap designed to snare and injure enemy soldiers.


Trou-de-loup definitions

Word backwards puol-ed-uort
Part of speech Noun
Syllabic division trou-de-loup: trou-de-loup
Plural The plural of "trou-de-loup" is "trous-de-loup."
Total letters 10
Vogais (3) o,u,e
Consonants (5) t,r,d,l,p

When it comes to defensive fortifications, trou-de-loup is a term that has a long history dating back to medieval times. The term itself is French, literally translating to "wolf hole", and refers to a type of anti-infantry pit or trench that was used to hinder enemy troops.

History of Trou-de-loup

Trou-de-loup became popular during the medieval period as a simple yet effective means of defense against approaching soldiers. These pits were often camouflaged and strategically placed along key pathways or near the walls of a fortress to surprise and impede enemy forces.

Construction and Design

The construction of a trou-de-loup was relatively straightforward. It typically involved digging a deep pit with steep sides and planting sharpened stakes or spikes at the bottom to injure anyone who fell in. The pit would then be covered with branches, leaves, or other materials to conceal it from view.

Strategic Importance

Trou-de-loups were strategically placed in locations where enemy troops were likely to pass, such as in front of gates or along walls. They were designed to disrupt the advance of infantry units, causing chaos and confusion among the ranks.

Overall, the trou-de-loup played a significant role in medieval warfare as a simple yet effective means of defense. While they may seem primitive by today's standards, these anti-infantry pits were a crucial element in the arsenal of fortifications used to protect castles, fortresses, and other strategic locations.


Trou-de-loup Examples

  1. The soldiers dug a trou-de-loup to trap the enemy troops.
  2. A trou-de-loup was hidden beneath the foliage, ready to ensnare unsuspecting travelers.
  3. The castle defenses included a series of trou-de-loups to deter potential invaders.
  4. The medieval army used trou-de-loups to create obstacles for advancing enemies.
  5. The trou-de-loups were camouflaged with leaves and branches to blend into the forest floor.
  6. Scouts were sent ahead to check for any trou-de-loups that may have been placed by the enemy.
  7. The general ordered his troops to fill in all the trou-de-loups to prevent accidents during the night.
  8. A careless soldier fell into a trou-de-loup and had to be rescued by his comrades.
  9. The map indicated a series of trou-de-loups along the perimeter of the fortification.
  10. The trou-de-loups were strategically placed to channel the enemy forces into specific areas for easier defense.


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  • Updated 15/06/2024 - 11:48:07