Standard Lemma guide

embattle

noun · verb · 7 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

Each Play button uses your device's default local English voice, or a natural local fallback. The selected voice name appears after playback. This is synthesized speech, not a source recording.

  • General-American: /ɛmˈbæ.təl/
  • General-American:
  • US, regional: [əmˈbæ.ɾəl]
  • US: Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.
  • Received-Pronunciation: /ɛmˈbæt.əl/
  • Received-Pronunciation: /ɪmˈbæt.əl/
  • CMU ARPABET: EH0 M B AE1 T AH0 L Digits mark lexical stress: 1 primary, 2 secondary, 0 unstressed.

1

noun

Meaning 1

A merlon, or a single one of the series of solid projections of a battlement.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Topics: government, heraldry, hobbies, lifestyle, monarchy, nobility, politics

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

verb

Meaning 2

To arrange in order of battle; to array for battle.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: transitive

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

3

verb

Meaning 3

To prepare or arm for battle; to equip as for battle.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

4

verb

Meaning 4

To be arrayed for battle.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: intransitive

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

5

verb

Meaning 5

To furnish with battlements; to give the form of battlements to.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: transitive

Examples

  • to embattle a wall

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

6

verb

Meaning 6

prepare for battle or conflict

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: organize, organise, prepare, devise, get up, machinate

7

verb

Meaning 7

fortify by furnishing with battlements for defense

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • an embattled castle

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: fortify, fort

History

Etymology

From Middle English enbatelen, enbatailen, from Old French *embastiller ("to fortify"; > Middle Latin imbataliare, imbattajare), from en- + + bastiller (“to build, fortify, embattle”). More at baste.

From Middle English enbatelen, embatailen, from Old French embataillier (“to array for battle”), from em- (Latin in) + bataille (“battle”).