pos>n. [ Counter- + scarp: cf. F. contrescarpe. ] (Fort.) The exterior slope or wall of the ditch; -- sometimes, the whole covered way, beyond the ditch, with its parapet and glacis; as, the enemy have lodged themselves on the counterscarp. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ F. escarpe (cf. Sp. escarpa, It. scarpa), fr. escarper to cut steep, cut to a slope, prob. of German origin: cf. G. scharf sharp, E. sharp, or perh. scrape. ] (Fort.) The side of the ditch next the parapet; -- same as scarp, and opposed to counterscarp. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Escarped p. pr. & vb. n. Escarping. ] (Mil.) To make into, or furnish with, a steep slope, like that of a scrap. Carleton. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Cf. F. escarpement. ] A steep descent or declivity; steep face or edge of a ridge; ground about a fortified place, cut away nearly vertically to prevent hostile approach. See Scarp. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Scarped p. pr. & vb. n. Scarping. ] To cut down perpendicularly, or nearly so; as, to scarp the face of a ditch or a rock. [ 1913 Webster ]

From scarped cliff and quarried stone. Tennyson. [ 1913 Webster ]

Sweep ruins from the scarped mountain. Emerson. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ OF. escharpe. See 2d Scarf. ] (Her.) A band in the same position as the bend sinister, but only half as broad as the latter. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Aphetic form of Escarp. ] 1. (Fort.) The slope of the ditch nearest the parapet; the escarp. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. A steep descent or declivity. [ 1913 Webster ]