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caltrop

Military
Pronunciation

Understanding ARPABET Pronunciation

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The pronunciation guide uses the ARPABET phonetic system—the same system used in speech recognition and text-to-speech applications.

Vowel Examples:
AE1 = cat, bat
EH1 = bed, head
IY1 = see, me
OW1 = go, boat
UW1 = boot, do
Stress Numbers:
0 = no stress (unstressed)
1 = primary stress (loud)
2 = secondary stress (medium)
Example:
AH0 TH IY1 N AH0
= a-THEE-na (Athena)

The stressed syllable (marked with 1) is pronounced louder and clearer than others.

Quick Definition

A caltrop is a spiked metal device scattered on the ground to injure soldiers, horses, or animals; in poetry, it can symbolize hidden danger, warfare, or a painful obstacle.

Detailed Definition
Traditionally made with four sharp points arranged so that one point always faces upward, a caltrop was used to slow an enemy’s advance, especially cavalry or marching troops. Poets may use the image literally in Military scenes or figuratively to suggest treachery, defensive resistance, or dangers concealed beneath an ordinary surface. Because caltrops are small yet effective, they can also represent the destructive power of minor but well-placed obstacles.
Example
Example in poetry:
“Across the moonlit road the caltrops lay, / Small stars of iron waiting for the hoof.” Here, the caltrops create a Military image of an ambush and compare their sharp metal points to stars.
Additional Notes
Caltrops have been used since ancient and medieval warfare and were especially effective against horses, bare feet, and lightly protected troops. They are also called iron caltrops or, in some contexts, crow’s feet. A related term is tribulus, a Latin word sometimes used for a similar spiked obstacle; it also refers to a thorny plant whose seed heads resemble caltrops. In modern usage, “caltrop” may describe tire-deflation devices used to stop vehicles, though the traditional Military meaning concerns obstacles for people and animals. In poetry, distinguish a caltrop from a mine: a caltrop wounds through direct contact rather than explosion.
Also Known As
tribulus murex ferreus caltrap galtrop cheval trap galthrap galtrap calthrop jackrock crow's foot
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