Forts

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. Strongholds or buildings built to serve as military posts and safeguard troops or resources
2. Defensive installations typically involving walls and strategic features to resist attacks and provide security
3. Structures designed for military defense and troop protection; fortified locations serving to secure territory and resources; robust edifices aimed at resisting enemy assaults and ensuring safety for personnel and assets

Etymology: "Forts" is simply the plural of "fort", so its history is that of the singular noun. "Fort" came into Middle English from Middle French "fort", meaning "strong", which was itself drawn from the Old French adjective of the same form. The sense of a fortified place grew out of that quality of strength: a fort was, at heart, something that was strong against attack. The word is a doublet of two Latin relatives. "Fortis" (strong) gave English the adjective "fortis", while "forte" entered English from Italian to describe one's strong point. All three trace back to the same Latin root, so a fort, a fortress, and a person's forte are cousins that took different routes into the language.

Synonyms: castles, strongholds, bastions