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From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.44 [gcide]:
Fortress \For"tress\, noun; pl. {Fortresses}. [F. forteresse, OF. forteresce, fortelesce, LL. foralitia, fr. L. fortis strong. See {Fort}, and cf. {Fortalice}.] A fortified place; a large and permanent fortification, sometimes including a town; a fort; a castle; a stronghold; a place of defense or security.
Syn: {Fortress}, {Fortification}, {Castle}, {Citadel}.
Usage: A fortress is constructed for military purposes only, and is permanently garrisoned; a fortification is built to defend harbors, cities, etc.; a castle is a fortress of early times which was ordinarily a palatial dwelling; a citadel is the stronghold of a fortress or city, etc.
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