bastion
/ˈbæstiən/
noun
Origin
Old Occitan
bastir — to build
Overview
Meaning Now
- A projecting part of a fortification built at an angle to the line of a wall, so as to allow defensive fire in several directions.
- A person or thing that strongly defends or upholds particular principles, attitudes, or activities.
Literal older meaning
A thing built to be moved or constructed (from the idea of building or supporting).
Language path
Old Occitan → Middle French → English
Earliest form
bastion
Earliest period
16th century
Journey
The bastion replaced the medieval round tower in military architecture during the Renaissance (the trace italienne or 'star fort'). Its geometric shape eliminated blind spots, allowing defenders to use flanking fire against attackers.
Evolution
- Late Latin
*bastire
“to build”
Possibly of Germanic origin
- Old Occitan
bastida
“a building or fortification”
- Middle French
bastion
“fortified projection”
- 16th century English
bastion
“fortified angle of a wall”
Connections
Word parts
bast
root
build/construct
ion
suffix
result of an action
Related across languages
French
bastion
Italian
bastione
bastion
Related words
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External references use DefinedTerm semantics.