英文字典中文字典51ZiDian.com

The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 (gcide)

Rampart \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.
[1913 Webster]

Those grassy hills, those glittering dells,
Proudly ramparted with rocks. --Coleridge.
[1913 Webster]

{Rampart gun} (Fort.), a cannon or large gun for use on a
rampart and not as a fieldpiece.
[1913 Webster]


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

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.
[1913 Webster]

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 entire 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.
[1913 Webster]