Gabion
Pronunciation : Ga"bi*on
Part of Speech : n.
Etymology : [F., from It. gabbione a large cage, gabion, from gabbia cage, L. cavea. See Cage.]
Definition : 1. (Fort.)
Defn: A hollow cylinder of wickerwork, like a basket without a bottom. Gabions are made of various sizes, and filled with earth in building fieldworks to shelter men from an enemy's fire.
2. (Hydraul. Engin.)
Defn: An openwork frame, as of poles, filled with stones and sunk, to assist in forming a bar dyke, etc., as in harbor improvement.
Source : Webster's Unabridged Dictionary, 1913