What's the difference between
and
Enter two words to compare and contrast their definitions, origins, and synonyms to better understand how those words are related.

Fortress vs Barbican - What's the difference?

fortress | barbican |

As nouns the difference between fortress and barbican

is that fortress is a fortified place; a large and permanent fortification, sometimes including a town; a fort; a castle; a stronghold; a place of defense or security while barbican is a tower at the entrance to a castle or fortified town.

As a verb fortress

is to furnish with a fortress or with fortresses; to guard; to fortify.

fortress

English

Noun

(wikipedia fortress) (es)
  • A fortified place; a large and permanent fortification, sometimes including a town; a fort; a castle; a stronghold; a place of defense or security.
  • (chess) A position that, if obtained by the weaker side, will prevent penetration by the opposing side, generally achieving a draw.

    • See also

    * fortalice, fortilice

    Verb

  • To furnish with a fortress or with fortresses; to guard; to fortify.

    • barbican

    English

    Alternative forms

    * barbacan

    Noun

    (wikipedia barbican) (en noun)
  • A tower at the entrance to a castle or fortified town
  • A fortress at the end of a bridge.
  • An opening in the wall of a fortress through which the guns are levelled; a narrow loophole through which arrows and other missiles may be shot.
  • * 1922 James Joyce, Ulysses 11:
    • Two shafts of soft daylight fell across the flagged floor from the high barbacans .
  • A temporary wooden tower built for defensive purposes.

    • See also

    * bartisan

    References

    * Samuel Johnson, Dictionary of the English Language (1766) *