What is the difference between citadel and castle

What's the difference between castle and citadel? Castle Definition: n. A fortified residence, especially that of a prince or nobleman; a fortress. Any strong, imposing, and stately mansion. Add a comment. Active Oldest Votes. I'm going to explain the words in a slightly different order than you listed them. There are, however, differences of nuance: A castle is or was the home of a feudal lord, as well as being a fort.

Therefore, people still build forts, but nobody builds castles anymore, except as a deliberate anachronism, e. Cinderella Castle at Disney World. Hearst Castle ; in this case the building s in question need not be defensible. Fortress and citadel are older synonyms for fort and castle respectively. They suggest that the building so described is larger, more impressive, and harder to attack than a simple fort or castle.

Citadel originally referred to a fortress "commanding a city, which it serves both to protect and to keep in subjection" [OED], but modern usage does not reflect this. Stronghold can technically be used for any well-defended place whether or not built for the purpose, but actual usage is basically the same as fortress. Other related words include: keep the central, most-defensible part of a castle or fort.

This noun is basically never used in Modern English except by writers of fantasy. Improve this answer. A citadel is a fortification built at the centre of a city, for last-ditch defence often literally , whereas the others would typically be built on a defensible spot outside town although settlements often grow up around them.

TimLymington I know that's what it originally meant, but I don't think modern usage reflects that anymore. Practice will vary by region and military tradition. I'll give you my take. Joe Atzberger Joe Atzberger 2 2 bronze badges.

A fort or fortress is a building whose purpose is purely military. The Photon The Photon 4, 2 2 gold badges 14 14 silver badges 18 18 bronze badges. Sign up or log in Sign up using Google. Sign up using Facebook. Sign up using Email and Password.

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