presidio

[ pri-sid-ee-oh; Spanish pre-see-th yaw ]

/ prɪˈsɪd iˌoʊ; Spanish prɛˈsi ðyɔ /

a garrisoned fort; military post.

a Spanish penal settlement.

Origin of presidio

1755–65, Americanism; < Spanish < Latin praesidium guard, garrison, post, literally, defense, protection. See presidium

pre·sid·i·al, pre·sid·i·ar·y

[pri-sid-ee-er-ee] /prɪˈsɪd iˌɛr i/, adjective

We could have reached the Presidio if we had not stopped so long, because on the down trip one goes at least twice as fast.

Colonial Expeditions to the Interior of California Central Valley, 1800-1820 |Sherburne Friend Cook
Lots of Presidio dames and damsels were up on the heights that day in such vehicles as the post afforded.

Found in the Philippines |Charles King
Imagine the joy in the presidio shortly thereafter when two subsidy payments arrived at one time!

The Building of Castello de San Marcos |Albert C. Manucy
I slept beneath the floor of an empty house out the Presidio way.

The Trail of '98 |Robert W. Service

Antonio was called to their council, and to him Carlos declared his belief that his sister was a captive within the Presidio.

The White Chief |Mayne Reid

presidio

/ (prɪˈsɪdɪˌəʊ, Spanish preˈsiðjo) /

a military post or establishment, esp in countries under Spanish control

C19: from Spanish: garrison, from Latin praesidium a guard, protection; see preside