fortress
nounverbcommon in dialogue
- United Kingdom//ˈfɔː.tɹəs//
- United States//ˈfoɹ.tɹɪs//
- United States//ˈfoɹ.tɹəs//
- //ˈfɔ(ː)ɹ.tɹəs//
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.
noun
- 1
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.
Like the Mesolithic age of 10,000-8000 B.C., the period 6000-4000 B.C. seems to be one of the fall of fortresses and the rise of pastoral nomadism.
- 2
A position that, if obtained by the weaker side, will prevent penetration by the opposing side, generally achieving a draw.
Etymology
Early 14 c., from Old French forteresce, forteresse, forterece (“strong place, fortification”), variant of fortelesse, from Medieval Latin fortalitia, from Latin fortis (“strong”) (see fort) + -itia, added to adjectives to form nouns of quality or condition. French -ess, from Latin -itia is also in words such as duress, prowess, largesse and richesse. For change of medial -l- to -r- in Old French, compare orne (“elm”) from ulmus; chartre from cartula and chapitre from capitulum. First attested in the 12th century.
verb
- 1
To furnish with a fortress or with fortresses; to guard, to fortify.
Honour and Beautie in the owners armes, / Are weaklie fortreſt from a world of harmes.
Forms
- plural
- fortresses
- past tense
- fortressed
- past participle
- fortressed
- present participle
- fortressing
- third person singular
- fortresses
fortress · 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…
fortunate · Auspicious.fortunately · In a fortunate manner.fortune · Destiny, especially favorable.