noun
definition
A line or straight passage, or the position of that which lies in a straight line.
definition
Gunfire directed along the length of a target.
definition
A series of doors that provide a vista when open.
verb
definition
To rake (something) with gunfire.
definition
To be directed toward (something) like enfilading gunfire.
definition
To arrange (rooms or other structures) in a row.
Examples of enfilade in a Sentence
The gigantic rampart was unflanked, and the covered ways in the face of it subject to enfilade from end to end.
The Japanese attack was convergent, but there was no room for envelopment; the Russian position moreover was " all-round " and presented no flanks, and except for the enfilade fire of the Japanese and Russian gunboats in the shallow bays on either side the battle was locally at every point a frontal attack and defence.
Every knoll had its redoubt or battery, and the trenches were arranged line behind line, to give supporting, cross and enfilade fire in every direction.
In military and naval use "to rake" means to enfilade, to fire so that the shot may pass lengthwise along a ship, a line of soldiers, entrenchments, &c. In the nautical sense of the projection or slope of a ship's bows or stern or the inclination of a mast, the word is apparently an adaptation of the Scandinavian raka, to reach, in the sense of reach forward.
He was twice wounded, bravely directing the fire of his men, under a heavy enfilade.