To arrange troops in battle formation, or to fortify a place for defense against attack.
From Old French 'embataillier,' combining 'em-' (to furnish with) and 'bataille' (battle), which comes from Latin 'battalia' meaning 'combat' or 'training of soldiers.'
The word 'embattle' preserves the medieval military vocabulary—commanders would 'embattle' their forces, arranging them carefully before combat, showing that battle strategy depended on organized formation rather than chaotic fighting.
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