Where does “fortress” come from?

Fortress comes from Medieval Latin fortalitia, a derivative formation from fortis meaning strong.

fortress (English): A fortified place; a large and permanent...

Definitions

  1. A fortified place; a large and permanent...

Ancestry of “fortress”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1Old Frenchforterescefortress
2Medieval Latinfortalitia—
3Latinfortisstrong, powerful; firm, resolute, steadfast,...
4Old Latinforctisstrong
5Proto-Italicforktisstrong, robust
6Proto-Indo-Europeanbʰerǵʰ-to rise; high, lofty; hill, mountain

Words derived from “fortress”

Every word from Proto-Indo-European bʰerǵʰ- →Every word from Proto-Italic forktis →Every word from Old Latin forctis →