Breastwork

Breastwork, in Fortification, is a hastily constructed earthwork of sufficient height to protect men standing on the natural surface of the ground, and firing over it without requiring a 'banquette' to stand upon, as would be the case with the more carefully constructed work called a 'parapet.' The ditch in front, from which the earth is taken to form the breastwork, affords a slight additional obstacle to the attack. The inner surface of a breastwork is revetted (that is, faced with sods, timber, hurdles, &c.), in order that it may stand at a steep slope, thus improving the cover it gives by enabling the defenders to get close up to it. In this respect it differs from the still simpler work called an Epaulement.