embattle

• POS: Verb (transitive)
• HYPHEN: em=bat=tle

CIDE DICTIONARY

embattle, v. t. [OF. embataillier; pref. em- (L. in) + F. bataille battle. See Battle, and cf. Battlement.].

 To arrange in order of battle; to array for battle; also, to prepare or arm for battle; to equip as for battle.  [1913 Webster]
"One in bright arms embattled full strong."  [1913 Webster]
"Here once the embattled farmers stood
And fired the shot heard round the world."  [1913 Webster]

embattle, v. i. 

 To be arrayed for battle.  [1913 Webster]

embattle, v. t. [See Battlement.].

 To furnish with battlements.  Wordsworth.  [1913 Webster]

OXFORD DICTIONARY

embattle, v.tr.
1 a set (an army etc.) in battle array. b fortify against attack.
2 provide (a building or wall) with battlements.
3 (as embattled adj.) a prepared or arrayed for battle. b involved in a conflict or difficult undertaking. c Heraldry like battlements in form.

Etymology

ME f. OF embataillier (as EN-(1), BATTLE): see BATTLEMENT

THESAURUS

embattle

arm, armor, armor-plate, bank, barricade, battle, blockade, bulwark, castellate, crenellate, dig in, entrench, fence, fortify, garrison, man, man the garrison, mine, palisade, wall