FORTRESS

fortress, fort

(noun) a fortified defensive structure

Source: WordNet® 3.1

Etymology

Noun

fortress (plural fortresses)

A fortified place; a large and permanent fortification, sometimes including a town; for example a fort, a castle; a stronghold; a place of defense or security.

(chess) A position that, if obtained by the weaker side, will prevent penetration by the opposing side, generally achieving a draw.

Synonyms

• bastion, stronghold, bulwark

Verb

fortress (third-person singular simple present fortresses, present participle fortressing, simple past and past participle fortressed)

(transitive) To furnish with a fortress or with fortresses; to guard, to fortify.

Source: Wiktionary

For"tress, n.; pl. Fortresses. Etym: [F. forteresse, OF. forteresce, fortelesce, LL. foralitia, fr. L. fortis strong. See Fort, and cf. Fortalice.]

Definition: A fortified place; a large and permanent fortification, sometimes including a town; a fort; a castle; a stronghold; a place of defense or security.

Syn.

– Fortress, Fortification, Castle, Citadel. A fortress is constructed for military purposes only, and is permanently garrisoned; a fortification is built to defend harbors, cities, etc.; a castle is a fortress of early times which was ordinarily a palatial dwelling; a citadel is the stronghold of a fortress or city, etc.

For"tress, v. t.

Definition: To furnish with a fortress or with fortresses; to guard; to fortify. Shak.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition