rampart

[ ram-pahrt, -pert ]
/ ˈræm pɑrt, -pərt /

noun

Fortification.
  1. a broad elevation or mound of earth raised as a fortification around a place and usually capped with a stone or earth parapet.
  2. 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.

Origin of rampart

1575–85; < Middle French, derivative of remparer, equivalent to re- re- + emparer to take possession of < Provençal amparar ≪ Latin ante- ante- + parāre to prepare

Example sentences 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