castellum

[ ka-stel-uh m ]

/ kæˈstɛl əm /

noun, plural cas·tel·li [ka-stel-ahy] /kæˈstɛl aɪ/. Archaeology.

a small isolated fortress, or one of a series of such fortresses, of the ancient Romans.

Nearby words

castellany, castellated, castellated beam, castellated nut, castellatus, castellum, castellón de la plana, castelnuovo-tedesco, castelo branco, castelvetro, caster

Origin of castellum

< Latin: fortified settlement, fortress < *casterlom < *castṛlom < *castrelom, equivalent to castr(a) (neuter plural) fortified camp + *-elom diminutive suffix; see -ule, -elle

Examples from the Web for castellum

This castellum is a miniature embodiment of Roman taste and skill in architecture.
The Actress in High Life|Sue Petigru Bowen
Under Drusus a castellum was erected here, which was destroyed by the Franks and the Alemanni.
The Cathedrals and Churches of the Rhine|Francis Miltoun
It was then a question which word should prevail,—tour (turris), or chastel (castellum).
The Story of London|Henry B. Wheatley
"There were giants in those days," said Lady Mabel, gravely, gazing on the castellum.
The Actress in High Life|Sue Petigru Bowen

Every castle that they took was burned and destroyed, like Sir Ingelric's castellum at Speen.
A Legend of Reading Abbey|Charles MacFarlane