bivouac
noun
- An ant nest formed by the ants bodies
verb
- to camp in the open
Wiktionary
Pronunciation: /ˈbɪv.u.æk/ / /ˈbɪv.wæk/
noun
Etymology: Unadapted borrowing from French bivouac (earlier biouac, bivac), from Alemannic German Biiwacht (“reinforcements of guard or town watch”), from bii- + Wacht (“watch, guard”).
- An encampment for the night, usually without tents or covering.
“Townsend hare inhabit this area, particularly above the cabin, and a skier is likely to have one explode from a tree well and disappear into the whiteness as he skis by. Life is a constant bivouac for them -- they spend days huddled in tree wells during storms -- but I suspect they are as content and warm in their luxurious coats as we are in a cabin.”
- Any temporary encampment.
- A temporary shelter constructed generally for a few nights.
“Behold the Mansion reared by Dædal Jack! See the Malt stored in many a plethoric sack, In the proud cirque of Juan's bivouac!”
“The outing begins by Thursday noon, when the recreational vehicles start rumbling into town and their owners set up bivouacs.”
- The watch of a whole army by night, when in danger of surprise or attack.
- A structure formed by migratory ants out of their own bodies to protect the queen and larvae.
verb
Etymology: Unadapted borrowing from French bivouac (earlier biouac, bivac), from Alemannic German Biiwacht (“reinforcements of guard or town watch”), from bii- + Wacht (“watch, guard”).
- To set up camp.
“We'll bivouac here tonight.”
“They reached the fir wood which had caused them so much trouble while it was still daylight, and bivouacked in a hollow just above it. It was tedious gathering the fire wood; […]”
- To watch at night or be on guard, as a whole army.
- To encamp for the night without tents or covering.