The difference between Castle and Fortress

When used as nouns, castle means a large building that is fortified and contains many defences, whereas fortress means a fortified place.

When used as verbs, castle means to house or keep in a castle, whereas fortress means to furnish with a fortress or with fortresses.

check bellow for the other definitions of Castle and Fortress

  1. Castle as a noun:

    A large building that is fortified and contains many defences; in previous ages often inhabited by a nobleman or king.

  2. Castle as a noun (chess):

    An instance of castling.

  3. Castle as a noun (chess, informal):

    A rook; a chess piece shaped like a castle tower.

  4. Castle as a noun (shogi):

    A defense structure in Japanese chess in which the king (玉) is positioned in a certain way so that it is protected by pawns (歩) and silver general(s) (銀) and/or gold general(s) (金) often with an additional knight (桂) and lance (香車).

  5. Castle as a noun (obsolete):

    A close helmet.

  6. Castle as a noun (dated):

    Any strong, imposing, and stately mansion.

  7. Castle as a noun (dated):

    A small tower, as on a ship, or an elephant's back.

  1. Castle as a verb (transitive):

    To house or keep in a castle.

  2. Castle as a verb (transitive, figurative):

    To protect or separate in a similar way.

  3. Castle as a verb (obsolete):

    To make into a castle: to build in the form of a castle or add (real or imitation) battlements to an existing building.

  4. Castle as a verb (usually, _, intransitive, chess):

    To move the king 2 squares right or left and, in the same turn, the nearest rook to the far side of the king. The move now has special rules: the king cannot be in, go through, or end in check; the squares between the king and rook must be vacant; and neither piece may have been moved before castling.

  5. Castle as a verb (usually, _, intransitive, shogi):

    To create a similar defensive position in Japanese chess through several moves.

  6. Castle as a verb (cricket):

    To bowl a batsman with a full-length ball or yorker such that the stumps are knocked over.

  1. Fortress as a noun:

    A fortified place; a large and permanent fortification, sometimes including a town; for example a fort, a castle; a stronghold; a place of defense or security.

  2. Fortress as a noun (chess):

    A position that, if obtained by the weaker side, will prevent penetration by the opposing side, generally achieving a draw.

  1. Fortress as a verb (transitive):

    To furnish with a fortress or with fortresses; to guard, to fortify.

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