Citadels

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A type of fortified structure, often situated on elevated ground, intended for military defense or protection against invasions
2. Large, strategically placed buildings or complexes designed to offer safety and serve as strongholds during conflicts
3. Strong fortifications that house troops or serve as a refuge during sieges, typically located in aggressive environments

Etymology: "Citadels" is the plural of "citadel," and the singular is the more interesting half of the story. The word descends from Italian "cittadella," a diminutive of "città," meaning "city." A citadel, then, is literally a little city, or at least a small town-within-a-town. Italian passed it to French as "citadelle," and English borrowed the French form. The sense shift is the key to the story. The Italian diminutive pointed to a miniature settlement, but in practice these fortified enclaves were built to hold the high ground over a larger city. Their purpose was defense and control, so the "little city" became the strongpoint that dominated the real one, which is why the word now means a fortress rather than a settlement.

Synonyms: fortresses, strongholds