Bivouac

//ˈbɪv.u.æk// noun, verb

Definitions

Noun
  1. 1
    An encampment for the night, usually without tents or covering.

    "Townsend hare inhabit this area, particularly above the cabin, and a skier is likely to have one explode from a tree well and disappear into the whiteness as he skis by. Life is a constant bivouac for them -- they spend days huddled in tree wells during storms -- but I suspect they are as content and warm in their luxurious coats as we are in a cabin."

  2. 2
    temporary living quarters specially built by the army for soldiers wordnet
  3. 3
    Any temporary encampment.
  4. 4
    a site where people on holiday can pitch a tent wordnet
  5. 5
    A temporary shelter constructed generally for a few nights.

    "Behold the Mansion reared by Dædal Jack! See the Malt stored in many a plethoric sack, In the proud cirque of Juan's bivouac!"

Show 2 more definitions
  1. 6
    The watch of a whole army by night, when in danger of surprise or attack. dated
  2. 7
    A structure formed by migratory ants out of their own bodies to protect the queen and larvae.
Verb
  1. 1
    To set up camp. intransitive, transitive

    "We'll bivouac here tonight."

  2. 2
    live in or as if in a tent wordnet
  3. 3
    To watch at night or be on guard, as a whole army. intransitive
  4. 4
    To encamp for the night without tents or covering. intransitive

Etymology

Etymology 1

Unadapted borrowing from French bivouac (earlier biouac, bivac), from Alemannic German Biiwacht (“reinforcements of guard or town watch”), from bii- + Wacht (“watch, guard”).

Etymology 2

Unadapted borrowing from French bivouac (earlier biouac, bivac), from Alemannic German Biiwacht (“reinforcements of guard or town watch”), from bii- + Wacht (“watch, guard”).

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