Bivouac Definition

bĭvo͝o-ăk, bĭvwăk
bivouacked, bivouacking, bivouacks, bivouacs
noun
bivouacs
A temporary encampment often in an unsheltered area.
American Heritage
A night guard to avoid surprise attack.
Webster's New World
A temporary encampment (esp. of soldiers) in the open, with only tents or improvised shelter.
Webster's New World

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

Wiktionary

Any temporary encampment.

Wiktionary
Synonyms:
verb
bivouacs
To camp in a bivouac.
American Heritage
To encamp in the open.
Webster's New World

To set up camp.

We'll bivouac here tonight.
Wiktionary
To watch at night or be on guard, as a whole army.
Wiktionary
To encamp for the night without tents or covering.
Wiktionary
Synonyms:

Other Word Forms of Bivouac

Noun

Singular:
bivouac
Plural:
bivouacs

Origin of Bivouac

  • Borrowing from French bivouac, formerly biouac, bivac, from Alemannic German beiwacht, biwacht (“a patrol of citizens added to in time of alarm or commotion to the regular town watch”), from bi, bei (“by”) + *wacht (“watch, guard”), from Middle High German wachte, from Old High German *wahta (“guard, watch”), from Proto-Germanic *wahtwō (“guard, watch”), from Proto-Indo-European *weǵ- (“to be awake, be fresh, be cheerful”). Compare German Beiwache (“a keeping watch”), German Wacht (“guard”). More at by, watch, wait.

    From Wiktionary

  • French from German dialectal beiwacht supplementary night watch bei- beside (from Middle High German bi-) (from Old High German ambhi in Indo-European roots) Wacht watch, vigil (from Middle High German wahte) (from Old High German wahta weg- in Indo-European roots)

    From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition

Bivouac Sentence Examples

  • The square was again heavily attacked, but the Arabs could not get to close quarters and in the evening a bivouac was formed on the Nile.

  • By evening it was expected that the whole would have crossed the Sambre, and would bivouac between the sundered allies.

  • It seems scarcely to know fear, obtruding itself on the notice of any traveller who invades its haunts, and, should he halt, making itself at once a denizen of his bivouac. In confinement it speedily becomes friendly, but suitable food for it is not easily found.

  • After a forced bivouac on the ridge, they descended the next day before returning to Gangotri the day after.

  • You will require two good days of fine weather to attempt the traverse including one overnight bivouac on the ridge.

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Words Starting With

BBIBIV

Words Ending With

CACUAC

Unscrambles

bivouac

Words Starting With B and Ending With C

Starts With B & Ends With CStarts With BI & Ends With CStarts With B & Ends With AC

Word Length

7 Letter Words7 Letter Words Starting With B7 Letter Words Ending With C