Definitions for: Rampart


[n] an embankment built around a space for defensive purposes; "they stormed the ramparts of the city"; "they blew the trumpet and the walls came tumbling down"



Webster (1913) Definition: Ram"part, n. [F. rempart, OF. rempar, fr. remparer to
fortify, se remparer to fence or intrench one's self; re- re-
pref. + pref. en- (L. in) + parer to defend, parry, prepare,
L. parare to prepape. See Pare.]
1. That which fortifies and defends from assault; that which
secures safety; a defense or bulwark.

2. (Fort.) A broad embankment of earth round a place, upon
which the parapet is raised. It forms the substratum of
every permanent fortification. --Mahan.

Syn: Bulwark; fence; security; guard.

Usage: Rampart, Bulwark. These words were formerly
interchanged; but in modern usage a distinction has
sprung up between them. The rampart of a fortified
place is the enceinte or main embankment or wall which
surrounds it. The term bulwark is now applied to
peculiarly strong outworks which project for the
defense of the rampart, or main work. A single bastion
is a bulwark. In using these words figuratively,
rampart is properly applied to that which protects by
walling out; bulwark to that which stands in the
forefront of danger, to meet and repel it. Hence, we
speak of a distinguished individual as the bulwark,
not the rampart, of the state. This distinction,
however, is often disregarded.


Ram"part, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Ramparted; p. pr. &
vb. n. Ramparting.]
To surround or protect with, or as with, a rampart or
ramparts.

Those grassy hills, those glittering dells, Proudly
ramparted with rocks. --Coleridge.

Rampart gun (Fort.), a cannon or large gun for use on a
rampart and not as a fieldpiece.

Synonyms: bulwark, wall

See Also: bailey, battlement, Chinese Wall, crenelation, crenellation, earthwork, embankment, fortification, fraise, Great Wall of China, merlon, munition

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