fortress

Everyday

1. A fortress is a large, strong building or town with thick walls, built to protect people from attack. tree →
2. A fortress is any place that is very safe and hard to get into. tree →

In the lessons

In history lessons, fortresses include castles, walled towns and forts used in wars. In stories, a fortress is often the home of a king or a villain. In everyday talk, «a fortress» can describe a well-guarded house or a strong defence in sport. Common phrases: «an ancient fortress», «mountain fortress», «impregnable fortress», «turn into a fortress».

Examples

• The soldiers hid inside the stone fortress. tree →
• The fortress stood on a hill above the river. tree →
• Edinburgh Castle was once a mighty fortress. tree →
• We built a pillow fortress in the living room. tree →
• The dragon guarded the gate of the dark fortress. tree →
• Their defence was like a fortress — no goals all season. tree →
• The fortress walls were three metres thick. tree →
• Shiyu by using his magic art quickly passed over with his army and shut himself up in a fortress on the opposite bank. tree →

Note

Plural: fortresses. Related words: «fort» (usually smaller), «fortify» (make stronger), «fortification». A fortress is a kind of building, not a weapon.

In Jewish tradition

In the Psalms and Prophets it is often a picture of God as a safe, strong refuge, as well as a real walled place.

Interpretation. Tradition reads "the LORD is my fortress" as trust in God over armies and walls.

Examples

• and he said: The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; (Prophets 2SA.22.2, JPS 1917) tree →
• The God who is my strong fortress, and who letteth my way go forth straight; (Prophets 2SA.22.33, JPS 1917) tree →
• That causeth destruction to flash upon the strong, so that destruction cometh upon the fortress. (Prophets AMO.5.9, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

Plural: fortresses. Related words: «fort» (usually smaller), «fortify» (make stronger), «fortification». A fortress is a kind of building, not a weapon.