different between collections vs ambush

English

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /k??l?k??nz/
• Hyphenation: col?lec?tions

Noun

collections

1. plural of collection
2. (accounting, of an account) A state being beyond merely past due.

   We have sent your account to collections.

3. (accounting) A department that attempts to collect on accounts that are beyond merely past due.

   Sorry, but you'll have to talk with collections.

French

Etymology 1

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /k?.l?k.sj??/
• Rhymes: -sj??
• Homophone: collection
• Hyphenation: co?llec?tions

Noun

collections f

1. plural of collection

Etymology 2

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /k?.l?k.tj??/
• Rhymes: -tj??
• Hyphenation: co?llec?tions

Verb

collections

1. first-person plural imperfect indicative of collecter
2. first-person plural present subjunctive of collecter

English

Etymology

From Middle English enbuschen, from Old French enbuscier, anbuchier (verb) (whence Middle French embusche (noun)), from Old French en- + Vulgar Latin boscus (“wood”), from Frankish *busk (“bush”), from Proto-Germanic *buskaz (“bush, heavy stick”). Compare ambuscade. The change to am- from earlier forms in en- is unexplained. More at bush.

Pronunciation

• (General Australian, US, UK) IPA^(key): /?æm.b??/

Noun

ambush (plural ambushes)

1. The act of concealing oneself and lying in wait to attack by surprise.
2. An attack launched from a concealed position.
3. The troops posted in a concealed place, for attacking by surprise; those who lie in wait.

Derived terms

Translations

Verb

ambush (third-person singular simple present ambushes, present participle ambushing, simple past and past participle ambushed)

1. (transitive) To station in ambush with a view to surprise an enemy.
   • 1665, John Dryden, The Indian Emperour

     By ambush'd men behind their temple laid / We have the king of Mexico betray'd.

2. (transitive) To attack by ambush; to waylay.

Derived terms

• ambushable

Translations

Further reading

• ambush at OneLook Dictionary Search
• ambush in The Century Dictionary, New York, N.Y.: The Century Co., 1911.