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The act of defilading a fortress, or of raising the exterior works in order to protect the interior. See Defilade.

A work constructed beyond the main ditch of a fortress, and in front of the curtain between two bastions, intended to defend the curtain; a ravelin. See Ravelin.

of localities; as, to desert a friend, a principle, a cause, one's country. "The deserted fortress." Prescott.

wet land, for guarding or fencing inclosures, or for preventing an approach to a town or fortress. In the latter sense, it is called also a moat or a fosse.

The line of works which forms the main inclosure of a fortress or place; -- called also body of the place.

To withdraw from; to quit; to retire from; as, soldiers from a country, city, or fortress. The Norwegians were forced to evacuate the country. Burke.

The surrender of a besieged fortress or town ; as, the fall of Sebastopol.

A fast place; a stronghold; a fortress or fort; a secure retreat; a castle; as, the enemy retired to their fastnesses in the mountains.

gth; to take by violence or struggle; specifically, to capture by assault; to storm, as a fortress.

loren posten) selected, usually from volunteers, to attempt a breach, scale the wall of a fortress, or perform other extraordinarily perilous service; also, a desperate case or enterprise.

specially, a work or works erected to defend a place against attack; a fortified place; a fortress; a fort; a castle. Fortification agate, Scotch pebble.

To secure or defend by fortresses manned with troops; as, to garrison a conquered territory.

ult; incapable of being subdued; able to resist attack; unconquerable; as, an impregnable fortress; impregnable virtue. The man's affection remains wholly unconcerned and impregnable. South. -- Im*preg"na*ble*ness, n. -- Im*preg"na*bly, adv.

Not accessible; not to be reached, obtained, or approached; as, an inaccessible rock, fortress, document, prince, etc. -- In`ac*cess"i*ble*ness, n. -- In`ac*cess"i*bly, adv.

nded, maintained, vindicated, or justified; unjustifiable; untenable; as, an indefensible fortress, position, cause, etc. Men find that something can be said in favor of what, on the very proposal, they thought utterly indefensible. Burke.

Incapable of being subdued by force; impregnable; unconquerable. Burke. A fortress, inexpugnable by the arts of war. Milman.

ncapable of being held; untenable; not defensible; as, an intenable opinion; an intenable fortress. [Obs.] Bp. Warburton.

That which keeps or protects; a stronghold; a fortress; a castle; specifically, the strongest and securest part of a castle, often used as a place of residence by the lord of the castle, especially during a siege; the donjon. See Illust. of Castle. The prison strong, Within whose keep the captive knights were laid. Dry…

Used of a fortress, signifying that it has never been captured, or violated. T. Warton. Macaulay. Maiden assize (Eng. Law), an assize which there is no criminal prosecution; an assize which is unpolluted with blood. It was usual, at such an assize, for the sheriff to present the judge with a pair of white gloves. Smart…

etal, which is sometimes used for the protection of sappers or riflemen while attacking a fortress, or of gunners at embrasures; -- now commonly written mantlet.