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.
A position that, if obtained by the weaker side, will prevent penetration by the opposing side, generally achieving a draw.
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.
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, ...
Select a language to see translations