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A fastness; a fort or fortress; fortfield place; a place of security.

commanding the city and fortifications, and intended as a final point of defense. Syn. - Stronghold. See Fortress.

the lakes of both countries. They may be regarded as the very latest class of prehistoric strongholds, reaching their greatest development in early historic times, and surviving through the Middle Ages. See also Lake dwellings, under Lake. Encyc. Brit.

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

To plan beforehand; to scheme; to project. He shall forecast his devices against the strongholds. Dan. xi. 24.

ace; a large and permanent fortification, sometimes including a town; a fort; a castle; a stronghold; a place of defense or security.

d town on the south coast of Spain, held by the British since 1704; hence, an impregnable stronghold.

A place of security; a fortified place; a fort; a castle; -- often called a stronghold. Chaucer. New comers in an ancient hold Tennyson.

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…

That which supports or defends; stronghold; place or means of defense; munition; assistance. "Other muniments and petty helps." Shak.

Fortification; stronghold. [Obs.] His place of defense shall be the munitions of rocks. Is. xxxiii. 16.

A dungeon with an opening only at the top, found in some old castles and other strongholds, into which persons condemned to perpetual imprisonment, or to perish secretly, were thrust, or lured to fall. Sudden in the sun An oubliette winks. Where is he Gone. Mrs. Browning.

ed and held; a dwelling; a mansion; a village, town, or city; a fortified town or post; a stronghold; a region or country. Are you native of this place Shak.

Holland, and part of Germany, were called the Reformed churches. The town was one of the strongholds of the Reformed faith. Macaulay.

That which shelters or protects from danger, or from distress or calamity; a stronghold which protects by its strength, or a sanctuary which secures safety by its sacredness; a place inaccessible to an enemy. The high hills are a refuger the wild goats. Ps. civ. 18. The Lord also will be a refuge for the oppressed. Ps.…

A strong place; a stronghold. [Obs.] Shak. On, or Upon, the strength of, in reliance upon. "The allies, after a successful summer, are too apt, upon the strength of it, to neglect their preparations for the ensuing campaign." Addison.

A stronghold. [Obs.]