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donjon

[ duhn-juh n, don- ]

/ ˈdʌn dʒən, ˈdɒn- /

SEE SYNONYMS FOR donjon ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

the inner tower, keep, or stronghold of a castle.

Origin of donjon

variant of dungeon

Words nearby donjon

dongola, dongola leather, dongting, donicker, donizetti, donjon, donkey, donkey derby, donkey engine, donkey jacket, donkey topsail

Example sentences from the Web for donjon

In the donjon five children, one of whom is his nephew Roland, are imprisoned under the care of Turpin.

Georges Guynemer |Henry Bordeaux
The refuge is deep: the Spider disappears in it entirely, all but her rounded hind-quarters, which bar the entrance to the donjon.

The Life of the Spider |J. Henri Fabre
At I were laid the foundations of the donjon—partly on ancient masonry—a donjon defended by a chemise and ditch.

Annals of a Fortress |E. Viollet-le-Duc
Half-defaced armorial bearings, iron-studded doors, winding staircases, even a donjon keep.

The Riddle of the Night |Thomas W. Hanshew

It is a remarkable view, looking landwards, that one gets from the height of the donjon of the Chteau dIf.

Rambles on the Riviera |Francis Miltoun

British Dictionary definitions for donjon

donjon

/ (ˈdʌndʒən, ˈdɒn-) /

noun

the heavily fortified central tower or keep of a medieval castle Also called: dungeon

Word Origin for donjon

C14: archaic variant of dungeon