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Refuge vs Fortress - What's the difference?

refuge | fortress |

As nouns the difference between refuge and fortress

is that refuge is a state of safety, protection or shelter while 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.

As verbs the difference between refuge and fortress

is that refuge is to return to a place of shelter while fortress is to furnish with a fortress or with fortresses; to guard; to fortify.

refuge

English

Noun

(en noun)
  • A state of safety, protection or shelter.
  • * Milton
    • Rocks, dens, and caves! But I in none of these / Find place or refuge .
  • A place providing safety, protection or shelter.
  • *
    • , title=(The Celebrity), chapter=4 , passage=One morning I had been driven to the precarious refuge afforded by the steps of the inn, after rejecting offers from the Celebrity to join him in a variety of amusements. But even here I was not free from interruption, for he was seated on a horse-block below me, playing with a fox terrier.}}
  • Something or someone turned to for safety or assistance; a recourse or resort.
  • * {{quote-news, year=2011, date=December 21, author=Helen Pidd, work=the Guardian
    • , title= Europeans migrate south as continent drifts deeper into crisis , passage=Since its conception, the European Union has been a haven for those seeking refuge from war, persecution and poverty in other parts of the world.}}
  • An expedient to secure protection or defence.
  • * Shakespeare
    • Their latest refuge / Was to send him.

    Synonyms

    * haven * sanctuary * zoar

    Derived terms

    * refugee * refugium

    Verb

    (refug)
  • To return to a place of shelter.
  • * 2011 , Michael D. Gumert, ?Agustín Fuentes, ?Lisa Jones-Engel, Monkeys on the Edge
    • Among these macaques, although activity cycles are quite variable from location to location, refuging is a common characteristic.
  • (obsolete) To shelter; to protect.
    • ----

    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.