Middle English Dictionary Entry
forteress(e n.
Entry Info
| Forms | forteress(e n. Also fortresse, fortreice. |
| Etymology | OF |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) A fortified place, a stronghold; (b) a unit in the defenses of a city, such as a tower; (c) a keep, a prison.
Associated quotations
a
- (1418) Proc.Privy C.2.353 : Þe Dauphin and al þat party shal delivere to þe King..alle þe townes, castelles, or forteresses.
- c1425(a1420) Lydg.TB (Aug A.4)5.3086 : Vlixes..doth his besynes For hym-silf to make a forterresse, Bilt on a roche, of lym & square stonys, Depe diched aboute for þe nonys.
- a1425(?a1400) RRose (Htrn 409)5894 : She hath tan many a forteresse.
- (1450) RParl.5.178b : The defence and kepyng of youre Townes, Forteresses and Places.
- (1454) Paston2.311 : Many of them forsoke and leffte thaire owyn habitacion, wyff and childe, and drewe to fortresses and good townes as for that tyme.
- (1459) Paston (Gairdner)3.155 : Castilys, fortreys, citeez, and townes..the seyd castilys and fortreycez.
- (a1460) Vegetius(2) (Pmb-C 243)502 : To make a fortresse, if the foon be nygh, Assure a grounde.
- a1500(?c1450) Merlin (Cmb Ff.3.11)110 : Than Bretell com to the maister forteresse, where as the kynge was.
b
- c1400(?a1300) *KAlex.(LdMisc 622)2668 : Wel hij wardeþ þe gates alle, þe fortresses and þe walle.
c
- a1425(?a1400) RRose (Htrn 409)4520 : He may not out..By cause the tour is so strong. How shulde he out, by whos prowesse, Out of so strong a forteresse?