Enceinte. In fortification, denotes generally the whole area of a fortified place. Properly, however, it means a cincture or girdle, and in this sense the enceinte signifies the principal wall or rampart encircling the place, comprising the curtain and bastions, and having the main ditch immediately outside it.
Encircle. To pass around, as in a circle; to go or come round; as, the army encircled the city.
Encombrer (Fr.). In fortification, to fill up any hollow place, such as a stagnant lake, etc., with rubbish.
Encompass. To describe a circle about; to go around; to encircle; to inclose; to environ; as, an army encompasses a city; a ship’s voyage encompasses the world.
Encounter. A meeting with hostile purpose; hence, a combat; a battle.
Encounter. To come against face to face; to engage in conflict with; to oppose; as, two armies encounter each other.
Encounters. In military affairs, are combats or fights between two persons only. Figuratively, battles or attacks by small or large armies.
Encroachments. The advancement of the troops of one nation on the rights or limits of another.
Enemy. In military language, the opposing force; as, “We have met the enemy, and they are ours.”
Enfans Perdus. Forlorn hope, in military history, are soldiers detached from several regiments, or otherwise appointed to give the first onset in battle, or in an attack upon the counterscarp, or the breach of a place besieged; so called (by the French) because of the imminent danger to which they are exposed.