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enfilade

Pronunciation: /ˌɛnfɪˈleɪd/

Definition of enfilade

noun

1a volley of gunfire directed along a line from end to end: they were mown down by an enfilade of artillery

2a suite of rooms with doorways in line with each other.

verb

[with object]

direct a volley of gunfire along the length of (a target): a sweeping crossfire enfiladed our riflemen

Origin:

early 18th century (denoting the position of a military post commanding the length of a line): from French, from enfiler 'thread on a string, pierce from end to end', from en- 'in, on' + fil 'thread'