fort
- a strong or fortified place occupied by troops and usually surrounded by walls, ditches, and other defensive works; a fortress; fortification.
- any permanent army post.
- (formerly) a trading post.
- hold the fort,
- to defend one's position against attack or criticism.
- to maintain the existing state of affairs.
Origin of fort
fort
- a fortified enclosure, building, or position able to be defended against an enemy
- hold the fort informal to maintain or guard something temporarily
Word Origin
Word Origin and History for hold the fort
fort
n.
mid-15c., "fortified place, stronghold," from Middle French fort, from noun use in Old French of fort (adj.) "strong, fortified" (10c.), from Latin fortis "strong, mighty, firm, steadfast," from Old Latin forctus, possibly from PIE root *bheregh- "high, elevated," with derivatives referring to hills and hill-forts (cf. Sanskrit brmhati "strengthens, elevates," Old High German berg "hill;" see barrow (n.2)).
Idioms and Phrases with hold the fort
hold the fort
Assume responsibility, especially in another's absence; also, maintain a secure position. For example, Harry did a good job of holding the fort until his boss recovered, or Can you hold the fort in the kitchen? This expression has been traced to an order given by General William Tecumseh Sherman in 1864, which was repeated as “Hold the fort [against the enemy at Allatoona] at all costs, for I am coming.”
fort
see hold the fort.