Drag to pan · scroll to zoom
Drag to rotate
Tracing “”…
Where does the word "fortress" come from? It comes from Latin fortis, passing through Old French before entering English (1300s).
Read the full story
Where does the word "fortress" come from? It comes from Latin fortis, passing through Old French before entering English (1300s).
Fortress’s story begins in Latin: fortis meant “strong.” The root of 'fort' and 'force'. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as forteresse. A strong place. It reached English by 1300s as fortress. 'Fortress Europe' dates from World War II. Today, fortress means a heavily fortified place.
- Stage 1 · Latin · ancient fortis "strong", the root of 'fort' and 'force'.
- Stage 2 · Old French · medieval forteresse "stronghold", a strong place.
- Stage 3 · English · 1300s fortress "stronghold", 'Fortress Europe' dates from World War II.