fort

[fawrt, fohrt] /fɔrt, foʊrt/
noun
1.
a strong or fortified place occupied by troops and usually surrounded by walls, ditches, and other defensive works; a fortress; fortification.
2.
any permanent army post.
3.
(formerly) a trading post.
Idioms
4.
hold the fort,
  1. to defend one's position against attack or criticism.
  2. to maintain the existing state of affairs.
Origin
1550-60; < Middle French, noun use of adj. fort strong < Latin fortis
Can be confused
fort, forte (see pronunciation note at forte)
British Dictionary definitions for hold the fort

fort

/fɔːt/
noun
1.
a fortified enclosure, building, or position able to be defended against an enemy
2.
(informal) hold the fort, to maintain or guard something temporarily
Word Origin
C15: from Old French, from fort (adj) strong, from Latin fortis
Word Origin and History for hold the fort

fort

n.

mid-15c., "fortified place, stronghold," from Middle French fort, from noun use in Old French of fort (adj.) "strong, fortified" (10c.), from Latin fortis "strong, mighty, firm, steadfast," from Old Latin forctus, possibly from PIE root *bheregh- "high, elevated," with derivatives referring to hills and hill-forts (cf. Sanskrit brmhati "strengthens, elevates," Old High German berg "hill;" see barrow (n.2)).

Slang definitions & phrases for hold the fort

hold the fort

verb phrase

To remain at a location and handle matters: Can you hold the fort while I go downtown for a walk


Idioms and Phrases with hold the fort

hold the fort

at all costs, for I am coming.”

fort

see: hold the fort