Ambush

Pronunciation

• Australia IPA: /ˈæm.bʊʃ/

Origin

From Old French embusche (noun), embushier, embuissier (verb), from Old French em- + Vulgar Latin boscus, bosca, boscum ("wood"), from Frankish *boscu, *busk ("bush"), from Proto-Germanic *busk- ("bush, heavy stick"). Compare ambuscade. The change to am- from earlier forms in en- is unexplained. More at bush.

Full definition of ambush

Noun

1. The act of concealing oneself and lying in wait to attack by surprise.
2. An attack launched from a concealed position.
• MiltonHeaven, whose high walls fear no assault or siege
  Or ambush from the deep.
3. The troops posted in a concealed place, for attacking by surprise; those who lie in wait.
• Bible, Josh. viii. 19The ambush arose quickly out of their place.

Derived terms

• ambush marketing
• ambush journalism

Verb

1. (transitive) To station in ambush with a view to surprise an enemy.
• DrydenBy ambushed men behind their temple laid
  We have the king of Mexico betrayed.
2. (transitive) To attack by ambush; to waylay.