fortress English · revision 39715

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=borrowing|attested=c. 1330, R. Mannyng, Chronicle|origins=la fortis}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * UK: /ˈfɔː.tɹəs/^(Wiktionary)

+ * US: /ˈfoɹ.tɹɪs/, /ˈfoɹ.tɹəs/^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[bor|xno|forteresce]] and [[fro|forteresse|t=strength, strong place]],^(OED 2026)^(AND)^(Etymonline)^(ODE 2010) recorded in Anglo-Norman from 1155,^(AND) from [[m|fro|fort|t=strong]];^(OED 2026) it is a variant of, or a form parallel to, [[m|fro|fortelesce]], the source of [[fortalice]].^(OED 2026)^(Weekley 1921)^(Barnhart 1988) Etymonline, Barnhart and the American Heritage Dictionary trace it to [[la-med|fortalitia]],^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988)^(AHD 2024) while Hoad, Klein and Dictionary.com reconstruct [[la-vul|*fortaricia]];^(Hoad 1986)^(Klein 1966)^(Dictionary.com 2016) either way it goes back to [[la|fortis|t=strong]], the source of [[fort]].^(AHD 2024)^(ODE 2010)^(SOED 2002) The ending continues [[m|la|-itia]], which formed nouns of quality or condition, and is also found in [[duress]] and [[largesse]].^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ A military stronghold or fortified place: about 1330, in Robert Mannyng's ''Chronicle''.^(OED 2026) Barnhart finds it probably before 1300, in ''Kyng Alisaunder'',^(Barnhart 1988) and Etymonline dates it to the early 14th century.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ In Anglo-Norman the word already meant protection or support as well as a stronghold,^(AND) and English uses it figuratively of a place or source of refuge.^(Collins 2023)^(MWU 2024) Johnson (1755) defined it as a stronghold, a fortified place, a castle of defence, and quoted "God is our fortress".^(Johnson 1755) In modern use the OED notes that it is chiefly a stronghold that can hold a large force, often a fortified town.^(OED 2026)^(SOED 2002) A verb, to furnish with or protect as with a fortress, is recorded from 1542, chiefly in figurative use.^(OED 2026) The SOED dates the verb to the late 15th century and labels it archaic.^(SOED 2002)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * probably before 1300 – a fortified place, in ''Kyng Alisaunder''.^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * c. 1330 – a military stronghold.^(OED 2026)

+ * 1542 – verb, to protect with or as with a fortress.^(OED 2026)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Noun===

+ # A large [[fort]] or strongly [[fortify|alt=fortified]] place, especially a permanent one that may include a town: ''The fortress overlooked the river crossing.''^(Collins 2023)^(MWU 2024)

+ # A place or thing that gives [[refuge]], protection or support.^(Collins 2023)^(MWU 2024)

+

+ ===Verb===

+ # (archaic) To protect with or as if with a fortress; to fortify.^(MWU 2024)^(SOED 2002)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[superfortress]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[fort]]

+ * [[fortalice]]

+ * [[fortify]]

+ * [[fortitude]]

+ * [[force]]

+ * [[comfort]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}