Ringworks

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A circular earthwork typically constructed for a defensive purpose, often found in historical or archaeological sites
2. A type of fortification consisting of a series of concentric circular ditches and banks
3. An ancient structure characterized by its circular form, often associated with settlement or ceremonial functions in prehistoric communities

Etymology: "Ringworks" is the plural of "ringwork," a compound formed from the everyday English words "ring" and "work." The pairing describes the form directly: a defensive structure built as a circle, most often a bank of earth with a ditch beside it, enclosing a space that could be defended from all sides. Because the word is a plain combination of two common words, its meaning can be read straight off its parts, with no change of sense from an older source.