"fieldwork thrown up breast-high for defense," 1640s, from breast (n.) + work (n.) in "fortification" sense. Old English had breostweall in same sense.
实用例句
1. I feel very much like an officer who has stormed a breastwork despite his severe wounds.
我有这么一种感觉:仿佛自己是一个不顾身负重创,攻下了一个敌军堡垒的军官.
来自辞典例句
2. A swarthy boy opened a book and propped it nimbly under the breastwork of his satchel.
