rampart
[ ram-pahrt, -pert ]
/ ˈræm pɑrt, -pərt /
noun
Fortification.
- a broad elevation or mound of earth raised as a fortification around a place and usually capped with a stone or earth parapet.
- such an elevation together with the parapet.
anything serving as a bulwark or defense.
verb (used with object)
to furnish with or as if with a rampart.
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Nearby words
rampage, rampageous, rampageously, rampancy, rampant, rampart, rampasture, ramphal, ramphele, rampike, rampion
Origin of rampart
SYNONYMS FOR rampart
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019
Examples from the Web for rampart
British Dictionary definitions for rampart
rampart
/ (ˈræmpɑːt) /
noun
the surrounding embankment of a fort, often including any walls, parapets, walks, etc, that are built on the bank
anything resembling a rampart in form or function, esp in being a defence or bulwark
Canadian a steep rock wall in a river gorge
verb
(tr) to provide with a rampart; fortify
Word Origin for rampart
C16: from Old French, from remparer, from re- + emparer to take possession of, from Old Provençal antparar, from Latin ante before + parāre to prepare
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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Word Origin and History for rampart
rampart
"earthen elevation around a place for fortification," sometimes also including parapets, 1580s, from Middle French rempart, rampart, from remparer "to fortify," from re- "again" (see re-) + emparer "fortify, take possession of," from Old Provençal amparer, from Vulgar Latin *anteparare "prepare," properly "to make preparations beforehand," from Latin ante- "before" (see ante) + parare "prepare" (see pare). With excrescent -t in French, perhaps by influence of boulevart (see boulevard).
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper