rempart

rampart, bulwark

noun rahm-PAR Rare

Origin: Old French 're-' + 'emparer' (to fortify)

Usage Note

Rempart refers to a defensive wall or embankment surrounding a fortified town, and is found in many French city names and tourist sites such as the remparts of Carcassonne or Aigues-Mortes. Figuratively, un rempart contre means 'a bulwark against' some threat.

Examples

"Les remparts de la ville datent du Moyen Âge."

Natural Translation

The city walls date from the Middle Ages.

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