terreplein

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terreplein

/ˈtɛɹəpleɪn/
/ˈtɛə(ɹ)pleɪn/

Where it comes from

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.

noun terrepleins · terre-plein · terraplene · teraplene · terrepleine · terraplana

obsolete The sloping earthen embankment behind a defensive wall.
Similar: talus
The level platform atop a wall, typically protected by a parapet and (strictly) distinguished from the slightly higher banquette used by its defenders.
Any level base used by artillery in the field.
Any earthen embankment with a broad level top, such as those used for a canal elevated above a valley floor.

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MLA

"terreplein." Wiktionary, via Micwyn, micwyn.com/word/terreplein. Accessed 6 Nov. 2026.

APA

terreplein. (n.d.). In Wiktionary, via Micwyn. Retrieved November 6, 2026, from https://micwyn.com/word/terreplein

Chicago

"terreplein." Wiktionary, via Micwyn. Accessed November 6, 2026. https://micwyn.com/word/terreplein.

BibTeX

@misc{terreplein_2026,
  title = {terreplein},
  howpublished = {Wiktionary, via Micwyn},
  year = {2026},
  url = {https://micwyn.com/word/terreplein},
  urldate = {2026-11-06}
}