1. a signal (such as a drum beat or trumpet call) made by a besieged garrison to request a parley or surrender terms
Usage: historical; military

Examples

• The besieged fortress sounded a chamade to negotiate with the attacking army.
• When supplies ran low, the commander ordered the chamade to be beaten.
• The chamade echoed across the battlefield, signaling the garrison's willingness to discuss terms.
• In medieval sieges, a chamade was the recognized way to request a truce.