Parallel, trench parallel to the sides of the polygon of a fortress, supplying a covered communication for planting and serving the siege batteries. Formerly these parallels were required for approaching and planting the breach batteries. These parallels communicated with each other by trench boyaux traced in zigzags, so as not to be raked by the fires of the place (see p. [330]).
Paréclat, epaulment of earth, or formed with gabions raised on the ramparts, or in the middle of bastions, to shelter the defenders from the splinters of bombs and shells.
Place d'Armes, space defended by an epaulment, intended to enclose a body of men and to protect it from projectiles (see pp. [288], [308]).
Postern, secondary gate, small gate, generally masked (see p. [170]).
Rampart, epaulment raised with the earth taken from the ditch sunk on the outer side; also a wall crowned with a parapet and rampart walk. It signifies a permanent defence.
Ravelin, name originally given to demi-lunes. A work consisting of two faces, open at the gorge, low, and intended to sweep the exterior between two bastions (see p. [279]).
Redan, work presenting a salient angle and a re-entering angle (see p. [306]).
Retrenchment, a work made to augment the defensive strength of a place within the permanent fortifications, so as to present a fresh obstacle should the latter fall into the power of the enemy; the retrenchment consists of an epaulment of earth raised with the material from the ditch sunk on the outside.
Stimulus (Latin), barbed iron crook, which, fixed on a short stake stuck in the ground or in the bottom of conical holes, protected the approaches of a defence (see p. [80]).
Tenaille, work consisting of a curtain having at each extremity two demi-bastions (see pp. [278], [306]).