fortress
oxford
views updated Jun 27 2018fortress. 1. Castle, or strong defensive military structure of
bastions, earthworks,
ramparts,
walls, etc., far grander than a
fort.
2. Town or city with a
citadel and surrounded by fortifications.
A Dictionary of Architecture and Landscape Architecture JAMES STEVENS CURL
fortress
oxford
views updated May 23 2018for·tress / ˈfôrtrəs/ •
n. a military stronghold, esp. a strongly fortified town fit for a large garrison. ∎ a heavily protected and impenetrable building. ∎ fig. a person or thing not susceptible to outside influence or disturbance: he had proved himself to be a fortress of moral rectitude.
The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English
fortress
oxford
views updated May 18 2018fortress XIII. — (O)F.
forteresse strong place :- Rom. *
fortaritia, f. L.
fortis, strong.
The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology T. F. HOAD
