noun / verb

enfilade

EN-fuh-layd/ˈɛnfəˌleɪd/

Gunfire directed along the length of a target formation.

The exposed column comes under enfilade from guns at its head.

An elevated oblique view of a mounted gun firing from one end of a straight row of plain target panels, making clear that the fire travels along the row rather than across it.

Etymology

enOld Frenchput on

+filOld Frenchthread

+adeFrenchaction or result

The image is of things strung on a thread, forming a straight line. From rows of things, enfilade developed its military meaning of gunfire passing down the full length of a target line.

More examples

The trench's straight layout leaves its defenders exposed to enfilade.
The gun on the ridge enfilades the enemy line.
Fire from the bridge enfiladed the column as it advanced.

Forms

enfilade · enfilades · enfiladed · enfilading

Similar words

rake: Also means sweep with gunfire, without requiring lengthwise alignment.
strafe: Usually describes low-flying aircraft attacking ground targets with gunfire.