You searched for: “fortresses
fortress (s), fortresses (pl) (nouns)
1. A large building or a complex of buildings which are used as military strongholds: "Fortresses are castles or other strong, well protected buildings, that are difficult for enemies to enter."

"The soldiers attacked the fortress at dawn; however, they were unable to defeat the defenders."

"In earlier times, some castles became fortresses in order to defend villages or towns."

"In the Middle Ages in Western Europe, fortresses were constructed as fortified castles for feudal lords, fortified cities, and monasteries and in the 13th and 14th centuries in France alone, it is stated that there were about 50,000 castles and monasteries that existed as fortresses."

2. A term that has been extended to mean a person or place that can resist outside influences or disturbances: "During these difficult economic times, the parents have proven that they are fortresses of comfort and support for their children."
This entry is located in the following unit: fort-, forc- (page 3)
fortress, fortresses; fortressed, fortressing (verbs)
To protect by or to furnish with a strong defensive structure: "Many geographical areas in history have fortressed their villages, towns, etc. so they could protect themselves from invaders who wanted to steal their property and even force them into slavery."

"The people felt the need to fortress their town by constructing a fortress so they could defend themselves against attacks by wandering groups of thieves and killers."

This entry is located in the following unit: fort-, forc- (page 3)