(Fr. épaule, a shoulder), in Fortification, a kind of breast-work, constructed to cover the troops in front, and sometimes also in flank. In a siege, an epaulement of 8 or 10 feet in height is generally raised near the entrance of the approaches, in order to cover the cavalry placed there to support the guard of the trenches. Epaulements are commonly constructed of filled gabions, or of fascines and earth intermixed. The term is frequently applied to any work thrown up to defend the flank of a post or other place; as also to a demi-bastion, or to a square orillon for covering the cannon of a casemate.