citadel
Definitions
A fortress, typically on high ground, protecting or dominating a city
城堡，要塞（常居高临下守卫城市）
A safe place or stronghold; a last line of defense (often figurative)
堡垒，最后据点（常作比喻）
Root Breakdown
Root-derivedFrom Italian cittadella, a diminutive of città 'city' (itself from Latin civitas) — literally a 'little city.' The citadel was the small fortified inner core that protected the larger city-community. Like city and citizen, it keeps the cit- form where the Latin v had softened away.
Root civ still carries 9 more wordsWhy It Means This
A citadel is, etymologically, a 'little city' (Italian cittadella). It was the small fortified stronghold at the heart of a city — the inner keep where people retreated when the outer walls fell. From that literal core grew the figurative use: a citadel of any value worth defending, like 'a citadel of learning.' The cit- spelling, like in city and citizen, marks it as part of the v-losing branch of the family.
Common Collocations
- 1.fortified citadel堡垒
Example Sentences
- 1.
The ancient citadel still towers over the old town.
- 2.
The university became a citadel of free thought.
- 3.
Soldiers retreated to the citadel for a final stand.