Bouteselle

/ˌbuːtəˈsɛl/ noun

Definition

A trumpet call or drum signal used in military camps, historically signaling soldiers to prepare to ride or march.

Etymology

From French 'boute-selle,' literally 'saddle-put' from 'boute' (put) and 'selle' (saddle), describing a cavalry command to mount up.

Kelly Says

Napoleon's Grand Army relied on precise trumpet calls like bouteselle to coordinate thousands of soldiers across battlefields—the sound of this call would mean 'mount up and get ready' to cavalry across Europe.

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