bas|tion

bas|tion
bas|tion «BAS chuhn, -tee uhn», noun.
1. a part of a fortification that sticks out so that the defenders can fire at attackers from as many angles as possible.
2. Figurative. a stronghold; center of defense: »

... a bastion of free world democracy (Newsweek).

SYNONYM(S): defense, fortification.
[< Middle French bastion, variant of bastillon (diminutive) < bastille bastille]

Useful english dictionary. 2012.

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • bas·tion — /ˈbæsʧən, Brit ˈbæstiən/ noun, pl tions [count] : a place or system in which something (such as an old fashioned idea) continues to survive The neighborhood is considered by many to be the city s last liberal/conservative bastion. [=the only… …   Useful english dictionary

  • dem|i|bas|tion — «DEHM ee BAS chuhn», noun. a projecting part of a fortification consisting of one face and one flank; half of a bastion …   Useful english dictionary

  • tion — ab·bre·vi·a·tion; ab·di·ca·tion; ab·duc·tion; ab·er·ra·tion; ab·er·ra·tion·al; ab·jec·tion; ab·junc·tion; ab·ju·ra·tion; ab·lac·ta·tion; ab·la·tion; ab·lu·tion; ab·mi·gra·tion; ab·ne·ga·tion; ab·o·li·tion; ab·o·li·tion·ary; ab·o·li·tion·dom;… …   English syllables

  • bas — ab·bas·id; al·a·bas·trine; al·a·bas·trum; am·bas·sade; am·bas·sa·dor; am·bas·sa·do·ri·al; am·bas·sa·dor·ship; am·bas·sa·dress; am·bas·sage; an·a·bas; ap·i·co·bas·al; ba·bas·su; bar·bas; bar·bas·co; bas·aluminite; bas·a·nite; bas; bas·cart;… …   English syllables

  • bas´tard|i|za´tion — bas|tard|ize «BAS tuhr dyz», verb, ized, iz|ing. –v.t. 1. to make degenerate; debase: »Spanish craft has been bastardized by generations of artisans who each added their own elaborations (Wall Street Journal). 2. to declare or pronounce to be a… …   Useful english dictionary

  • bas|tard|ize — «BAS tuhr dyz», verb, ized, iz|ing. –v.t. 1. to make degenerate; debase: »Spanish craft has been bastardized by generations of artisans who each added their own elaborations (Wall Street Journal). 2. to declare or pronounce to be a bastard. –v.i …   Useful english dictionary

  • bastion — bas·tion …   English syllables

  • bastion — bas•tion [[t]ˈbæs tʃən[/t]] n. 1) for a projecting portion of a rampart or fortification that forms an irregular pentagon attached at the base to the main work 2) a fortified place 3) anything seen as preserving some quality, condition, etc.: a… …   From formal English to slang

  • bastion — bas|tion [ bæstʃən ] noun count 1. ) an organization, community, or system that supports and defends a particular way of life, tradition, or belief: Traditionally an all male bastion, the yachting world has gradually opened to women competitors.… …   Usage of the words and phrases in modern English

  • Bastion — Bas tion (b[a^]s ch[u^]n; 106), n. [F. bastion (cf. It. bastione), fr. LL. bastire to build (cf. F. b[^a]tir, It. bastire), perh. from the idea of support for a weight, and akin to Gr. basta zein to lift, carry, and to E. baston, baton.] (Fort.)… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

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