barrage
UK /ˈbæɹɑːʒ/ · US /bəˈɹɑʒ/ noun, verb
Forms barrages barraging barraged
- noun An artificial obstruction, such as a dam, in a river designed to increase its depth or to divert its flow.
- noun (military) A heavy curtain of artillery fire directed in front of one's own troops to screen and protect them.
- noun A concentrated discharge of projectile weapons.
- noun (by extension) An overwhelming outburst of words, especially of criticism.
- noun (fencing) A "next hit wins" contest to determine the winner of a bout in case of a tie.
- noun Type of firework containing a mixture of firework types in one single-ignition package.
- verb (transitive) To direct a barrage at.
Synonyms
fusillade bombard bombardment outpouring onslaught barrage fire battery shelling
Etymology
Unadapted borrowing from French barrage (“barrage, barrier”) c. 1859. Compare barrier.
Webster’s 1913
- noun An artificial bar or obstruction placed in a river or water course to increase the depth of water; as, the barrages of the Nile.
Etymology [F., fr. barrer to bar, from barre bar.]
Sources: Wiktionary · WordNet 3.0 · Webster’s 1913 — from the Wiktionary entry “barrage”, CC BY-SA 4.0. Details