Embattle
/ɪmˈbæt.əl/noun
To arrange in battle order or to fortify for defense; also, to engage in conflict.
Did you know?The word comes from the old idea of putting troops into battle array, not from any mystical “battle” root—its power is in the image of preparation before violence.
Etymological Timeline
Late Middle English
English
embattlen
“to set in battle order; to fortify with battlements”
Middle English
English
embattlen / embattailen
“to arrange for battle, especially by placing troops in formation”
Old French
Old French
embatillier
“to equip or prepare for battle”
Latin
Latin
battuere
“to beat, strike”
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*bhat- / *bʰeh₂-
“to strike, beat”