Castrum
/ˈkas.trum/noun
A Roman fort or fortified military camp.
Did you know?Castrum is the root behind countless Roman place-names and military terms, and its descendants helped shape words for fortresses across Europe.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*kes-
“to cut, hew”
Pre-Latin / Italic
Italic
*kastr-
“a fortification or enclosed military place”
Classical Latin
Latin
castrum
“a military camp, fort, or fortified place”
Late Latin
Latin
castra
“an army camp; a fortified encampment”
Old French / Medieval English
Old French
castel
“a fortified stronghold; castle”
Modern English
English
castle
“a large fortified building or stronghold”
Explore more surprising origins