For"tress , v. t. To furnish with a fortress or
with fortresses; to guard; to fortify. Shak.
For"tress (?), n.;
pl. Fortresses (#). [F.
forteresse, OF. forteresce,
fortelesce, LL. foralitia, fr. L.
fortis strong. See
Fort, and cf. Fortalice.]
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.
Hear it pronounced