A defensive barrier made of wooden posts or stakes driven into the ground. Can also refer to a military prison or detention facility enclosed by such a barrier.
From Spanish 'estacada,' from 'estaca' (stake), ultimately from Germanic roots. Entered English in the 17th century through military contexts in colonial America.
The iconic pointed-log stockades of American frontier forts weren't just defensive—the gaps between logs were carefully calculated to allow rifle barrels to poke through while protecting defenders!
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