enfilade

• POS: Noun, Verb (transitive)
• HYPHEN: en=fi=lade

CIDE DICTIONARY

enfilade, n. [F., fr. enfiler to thread, go trough a street or square, rake with shot; pref. en- (L. in) + fil thread. See File a row.].

•  A line or straight passage, or the position of that which lies in a straight line.  [1913 Webster]
•  A firing in the direction of the length of a trench, or a line of parapet or troops, etc.; a raking fire.  [1913 Webster]

enfilade, v. t. 

 To pierce, scour, or rake with shot in the direction of the length of, as a work, or a line of troops.  Campbell.  [1913 Webster]

OXFORD DICTIONARY

enfilade, n. & v.
--n. gunfire directed along a line from end to end.
--v.tr. direct an enfilade at (troops, a road, etc.).

Etymology

F f. enfiler (as EN-(1), fil thread)

ROGET THESAURUS

enfilade

Length

VB be long, stretch out, sprawl, extend to, reach to, stretch to, make a long arm, drag its slow length along, render long, lengthen, extend, elongate, stretch, prolong, produce, protract, let out, draw out, spin out, drawl, enfilade, look along, view in perspective, distend (expand).

Opening

VB open, ope, gape, yawn, bilge, fly open, perforate, pierce, empierce, tap, bore, drill, mine, tunnel, transpierce, transfix, enfilade, impale, spike, spear, gore, spit, stab, pink, puncture, lance, stick, prick, riddle, punch, stave in, cut a passage through, make way for, make room for, uncover, unclose, unrip, lay open, cut open, rip open, throw open, pop open, blow open, pry open, tear open, pull open.

Passage

VB pass, pass through, perforate, penetrate, permeate, thread, thrid, enfilade, go through, go across, go over, pass over, cut across, ford, cross, pass and repass, work, make one's way, thread one's way, worm one's way, force one's way, make a passage form a passage, cut one's way through, find its way, find its vent, transmit, make way, clear the course, traverse, go over the ground.