moat
Translation
ditch, trench
Examples
The castle was surrounded by a deep moat.
The castle was surrounded by a deep moat.
Grammar Patterns
a moat ((around sth.)) a defensive ditch around a castle or town The castle has a moat around it.
Similar Words
Synonyms: ditch, trench, channel
Etymology
From Old French 'mote' meaning 'mound, hillock, embankment', which later came to mean the ditch around it.
Memory Tips
Imagine a boat floating in a moat. 'Moat' sounds like 'boat'.