Castle
/ˈkæs.əl/noun
A large fortified building or stronghold, especially one from the medieval period.
Did you know?“Castle” ultimately comes from Latin *castellum*, a diminutive of *castrum*, the Roman word for a military camp or fortress — the same root behind words tied to fortification and conquest across Europe.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*kes-
“to cut, to scrape”
Latin
Latin
castrum
“a military camp, fortress”
Latin
Latin
castellum
“a small fort, stronghold”
Old Northern French
ONF
castel
“a fortified building or castle”
Middle English
English
castel
“a fortified stronghold”
Modern English
English
castle
“a large fortified residence or stronghold”