Ram"part , v. t. [imp. & p. p. Ramparted;
p. pr. & vb. n.
Ramparting.]
To surround or protect with, or as with, a rampart or
ramparts.
Those grassy hills, those glittering
dells,
Proudly ramparted with rocks.
Coleridge. Rampart gun (Fort.), a cannon or large gun for
use on a rampart and not as a fieldpiece.
Ram"part (răm"pärt), n. [F. rempart, OF. rempar,
fr. remparer to fortify, se remparer to fence or intrench one's self; pref. re- re- + pref. en- (L. in) + parer to defend, parry, prepare, L. parare to prepare. See Pare.]
1. That which fortifies and defends from assault; that which secures safety; a defense or
bulwark.
2. (Fort.) A broad embankment of earth round a place, upon which the parapet is raised. It forms the substratum of every permanent fortification. Mahan.
Syn. -- Bulwark; fence; security; guard. -- Rampart,
Bulwark. These words
were formerly interchanged;
but in modern usage a distinction has sprung up
between them. The rampart of a fortified place is the
enceinte or entire main embankment or wall which surrounds it. The term
bulwark is now applied to peculiarly strong outworks
which project for the defense of the rampart, or main work.
A single bastion is a
bulwark. In using these words figuratively, rampart is properly applied to that which protects by walling out; bulwark to that which
stands in the forefront of danger, to meet and repel it. Hence, we speak of a distinguished individual as the bulwark, not the rampart, of the state. This distinction, however, is often disregarded.
Hear it pronounced