bivouac

Definition from Wiktionary, a free dictionary

Contents 1 English 1.1 Etymology 1.2 Pronunciation 1.3 Noun 1.3.1 Translations 1.4 Verb

[edit] English

[edit] Etymology

From French bivouac, probably from Alemannic German beiwacht, biwacht.

[edit] Pronunciation

• IPA: /ˈbɪv.u.æk/, /ˈbɪv.wæk/
•  Audio (US)^{help, file}
• Rhymes: -æk

[edit] Noun

bivouac (plural bivouacs)

1. An encampment for the night, usually without tents or covering.
   • 1883, Ambrose Bierce, "George Thurston: Three Incidents in The Life of A Man",

     Whether in camp or on the march, in barracks, in tents, or en bivouac, my duties as topographical engineer kept me working like a beaver—

2. Any temporary encampment.
   • 2005, Boston Globe, September 23, 2005

     The outing begins by Thursday noon, when the recreational vehicles start rumbling into town and their owners set up bivouacs.

3. (dated) The watch of a whole army by night, when in danger of surprise or attack.

[edit] Translations

[edit] Verb

to bivouac (third-person singular simple present bivouacs or bivouacks, present participle bivouacking, simple past and past participle bivouacked)

1. To set up camp.

   We'll bivouac here tonight.