TRENCH,
1. To cut or dig, as a ditch, a channel for water, or a long hollow in the earth. We trench land for draining. This is the appropriate sense of the word.
2. To fortify by cutting a ditch and raising a rampart or breast-work of earth thrown out of the ditch. In this sense, entrench is more generally used.
3. To furrow to form with deep furrows by plowing.
4. To cut a long gash. Not in use.
TRENCH, To encroach. See Entrench.
TRENCH, n. A long narrow cut in the earth a ditch as a trench for draining land.
1. In fortification, a deep ditch cut for defense, or to interrupt the approach of an enemy. The wall or breast-work formed by the earth thrown out of the ditch, is also called a trench, as also any raised work formed with bavins, gabions, wool-packs or other solid materials, Hence, the phrases, to mount the trenches, to guard the trenches, to clear the trenches, &c.open the trenches, to begin to dig, or to form the lines of approach.