Martello tower

or martello tower

[ mahr-tel-oh ]
/ mɑrˈtɛl oʊ /

noun Fortification.

a circular, towerlike fort with guns on the top.
Also called martel·lo, Martel·lo.

Origin of Martello tower

named after Cape Mortella, Corsica, where a tower of this kind was taken by British forces in 1794

British Dictionary definitions for martello tower

Martello tower

Martello

/ (mɑːˈtɛləʊ) /

noun

a small circular tower for coastal defence, formerly much used in Europe

Word Origin for Martello tower

C18: after Cape Mortella in Corsica, where the British navy captured a tower of this type in 1794