fraise

A noun with historical and military senses: a decorative ruff worn around the neck in the 16th century, or a defensive rampart made of pointed stakes.

• 🇫🇷Nom désignant à la fois un col ou collerette plissée et rigide portée au cou au XVIe siècle, et un ouvrage défensif composé de pieux pointus disposés en palissade.

1. Historical neck ruff C2 formal

   A decorative ruff or frill worn around the neck, popular in the 16th century.

   • The portrait showed a noblewoman in an elaborate fraise.
   • He wore a starched fraise as part of his Elizabethan costume.
   • The fraise was a symbol of status in the 1500s.

   🇫🇷Fraise (collet godronné)

   Synonymes: frillruffruffle

2. Military fortification C2 formal

   A defensive barrier made of pointed stakes, placed on a rampart or slope.

   • The soldiers constructed a fraise to protect the camp.
   • The fort's outer wall was reinforced with a fraise.
   • Historical records describe a fraise used in medieval sieges.

   🇫🇷Fraises (fortification)

   Synonymes: abatispalisadestockade