I. ˈfō(ə)r]t, -ȯ(ə)r], -ōə], -ȯ(ə)], usu ]d.+V\ noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English forte, from Middle French fort, from fort strong, fortified, from Latin fortis strong, from Old Latin forctis; probably akin to Old High German berg mountain — more at barrow
1. : a strong or fortified place: as
a. : a fortified place occupied only by troops and surrounded with such works as a ditch, rampart, and parapet : fortification
b. : an enclosed work possessing bastions
c. : a permanent army post of the U.S. — often used in place names
2. : a trading post on the No. American frontier
II. verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
transitive verb
1. : to protect by or station or gather in a fort
2. : to enclose by fortifications : fortify
intransitive verb
1. archaic : to construct fortifications
2. : to gather in a strong or fortified place (as for defense)
III. abbreviation
fortification; fortified