Dunkerque n 1: a seaport in northern France on the North Sea; scene of the evacuation of British forces in 1940 during World War II [syn: {Dunkirk}, {Dunkerque}] 2: an amphibious evacuation in World War II (1940) when 330,000 Allied troops had to be evacuated from the beaches in northern France in a desperate retreat under enemy fire [syn: {Dunkirk}, {Dunkerque}]
Dunkerque \Dunkerque\ prop. n. the name of a town and a battle fought there, in World War II (1940) when 330,000 Allied troops had to be evacuated from the beaches at Dunkirk in a desperate retreat under enemy fire. Most of the forces were safely evacuated to England. Syn: Dunkirk. [WordNet 1.5]