ambush
n. countablen. a sudden attack from a hidden position. You use this word when people or animals are surprised by an enemy they did not see coming.
n. a surprise attack launched from concealment against an unaware target. Often used metaphorically for unexpected criticism or questions.
The soldiers survived the ambush in the forest.
The journalist felt ambushed by the sudden, aggressive questions from the press conference.
The general planned the ambush carefully, ensuring his troops remained hidden until the enemy column entered the narrow valley.
From Middle English enbuschen, from Old French enbuscier, anbuchier (verb) (whence Middle French embusche (noun)), from Old French en- + Vulgar Latin boscus (“wood”) (whence also bouquet), 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.