Fort (?), n. [F., from fort
strong, L. fortis; perh. akin to Skr. darh to fix, make
firm, and to E. firm Cf. Forte, Force,
Fortalice, Comfort, Effort.] (Mil.)
A strong or fortified place; usually, a small fortified place,
occupied only by troops, surrounded with a ditch, rampart, and
parapet, or with palisades, stockades, or other means of defense; a
fortification.
Detached works, depending solely on their own
strength, belong to the class of works termed
forts.
Farrow.