fortress

== English == === Etymology === 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, added to adjectives to form nouns of quality or condition. French -ess, from Latin -itia is also in words such as duress, prowess, largesse and richesse. For change of medial -l- to -r- in Old French, compare orne (“elm”) from ulmus; chartre from cartula and chapitre from capitulum. First attested in the 12th century. === Pronunciation === (General American) IPA(key): /ˈfoɹ.tɹɪs/, /ˈfoɹ.tɹəs/ (Received Pronunciation) IPA(key): /ˈfɔː.tɹəs/ (without the horse–hoarse merger, rhotic) IPA(key): /ˈfɔ(ː)ɹ.tɹəs/ Hyphenation: for‧tress === Noun === fortress (plural fortresses) 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. (chess) A position that, if obtained by the weaker side, will prevent penetration by the opposing side, generally achieving a draw. ==== Synonyms ==== ==== Derived terms ==== ==== Translations ==== ==== See also ==== === Verb === fortress (third-person singular simple present fortresses, present participle fortressing, simple past and past participle fortressed) (transitive) To furnish with a fortress or with fortresses; to guard, to fortify.