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rampart

 - 3 dictionary results

ram⋅part

[ram-pahrt, -pert]
–noun
1. Fortification.
a. a broad elevation or mound of earth raised as a fortification around a place and usually capped with a stone or earth parapet.
b. such an elevation together with the parapet.
2. anything serving as a bulwark or defense.
–verb (used with object)
3. to furnish with or as if with a rampart.

Origin:
1575–85; < MF, deriv. of remparer, equiv. to re- re- + emparer to take possession of < Pr amparar ≪ L ante- ante- + parāre to prepare


2. fortification, breastwork, barricade, guard.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To rampart
ram·part   (rām'pärt', -pərt)   
n.  
  1. A fortification consisting of an embankment, often with a parapet built on top.

  2. A means of protection or defense; a bulwark. See Synonyms at bulwark.

tr.v.   ram·part·ed, ram·part·ing, ram·parts
To defend with a rampart.

[French rempart, from Old French, from remparer, to fortify : re-, re- + emparer, to fortify, take possession of (from Old Provençal amparar, from Vulgar Latin *ante parāre, to prepare : Latin ante-, ante- + Latin parāre, to prepare; see perə-1 in Indo-European roots).]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

rampart 
1583, from M.Fr. rempart, from remparer "to fortify," from re- "again" + emparer "fortify, take possession of," from O.Prov. amparer, from V.L. *anteparare "prepare," prop. "to make preparations beforehand," from L. ante- "before" (see ante) + parare "prepare" (see pare).
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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