blindages

Noun

blindage (plural blindages)

1. (historical) A cover or protection for an advanced trench or approach, formed of fascines and earth supported by a framework.
   • A blindage may also be formed by covering the space between two traverses with beams, hurdles, earth, & c .1852, Royal Military College, Sandhurst, Outlines of a Course of Lectures on Fortification, Military Tactics, and Perspective
2. A deep dugout, often equipped with bunks and other fittings.
   • There literally was left no space to step foot in the whole blindage: it was so choked with soldiers up to the very entrance.1855, Leo Tolstoy, Sevastopol Sketches
3. A final layer of material such as sand or road scrapings that is spread to fill in any small gaps in the road surface and soak up any wet spots.
   • Surveyors differ in opinion, some use 10 per cent. of the screenings from the machine as blindage; the writer has tried these, but prefers the road scrapings.1907, Robert Phillips, “Discussion on Construction and Maintenance of Rural Roads”, in Report of the 3d-4th Congress of the Sanitary Institute, page 661