Obs. exc. Hist. Also 6–7 avaunt-. [a. F. avant-mur fore-wall. Commonly aphetized in 16–17th c. to vanmure, VAMURE, q.v.] The outer wall of a fortress, or in circumvallation. Hence Avaunt-mure v. Obs.
1530. Palsgr., 440/2. I avauntmure, I make a wall by fore the walles of a towne, Je auant mure. This towne is strongely avauntmured.
1611. Cotgr., Avant-mur, an auant-mure; fore-wall, out-wall, or outward-wall.
1693. W. Robertson, Phraseol. Gen., 179. An Avaunt-mure, or a Fortress before a wall, Antemurale.
