MOAT

, in Fortification, a deep trench dug round a town or fortress, to be defended, on the outside of the wall, or rampart.

The breadth and depth of a Moat often depend on the nature of the soil; according as it is marshy, rocky, or the like. The brink of the Moat next the rampart, is called the Scarp; and the opposite side, the Counterscarp.

Dry Moat, is one that is without water; which ought to be deeper than one that has water, called a Wet Moat. A Dry Moat, or one that has a little water, has often a small notch or ditch run all along the middle of its bottom, called a Cuvette.

Flat-bottomed Moat, is that which has no sloping, its corners being somewhat rounded.

Lined Moat, is that whose scarp and counterscarp are cased with a wall of mason's work lying aslope.