MOAT

A ditch made round the old castles, and filled with water. In some cases this still remains, as at Lickhill Castle; whilst in others they are drained and planted, as at the palace of the Black Prince at Eltham. For the most part, however, all traces of them have disappeared. The moat surrounding a military fortre of modern construction (or the ditch) is left dry; but where it is capable of inundation at pleasure, this circumstance is considered an advantage to the system of defence. [s. 769]