citadel in English
- citadel⇄citadel, noun.
1. a fortress, especially one in a city. A citadel serves as a protection and final point of defense, and also to keep the inhabitants in subjection.
2. a strongly fortified place; stronghold.
3. (Figurative.) a strong,
citadel in Gujarati ગુજરાતી
citadel in Sindhi سنڌي
Citadel
Part of Speech
Noun
Pronunciation
/ˈsɪtəˌdɛl/
Definitions
- A fortress, typically on high ground, protecting or dominating a city.
- Any stronghold or fortified structure used for defense.
- A place or stronghold that represents power or authority in a particular field.
Usage Examples
- "The ancient citadel stood as a symbol of the city's strength."
- "The political citadel was impenetrable to rivals."
- "She viewed her home as a citadel, a place of safety and refuge."
Etymology
From the Latin word "civitas," meaning "city," combined with the suffix "-del," from the Latin "mœnia" meaning "walls" or "fortifications." The term was used in medieval times to describe fortified places within cities.
Synonyms
- Fortress
- Stronghold
- Bastion
- Keep
- Fortification
Antonyms
- Weakness
- Vulnerability
- Open
- Exposure
Translations
| Language | Translation | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| English | Citadel | /ˈsɪtəˌdɛl/ |
| Spanish | Ciudadela | /θjʊðaˈðɛla/ |
| French | Citadelle | /sɪtaˈdɛl/ |
| German | Zitadelle | /ˈtsiːtaˌdɛlə/ |
| Italian | Citadella | /ʧitaˈdɛlla/ |
| Portuguese | Cidadela | /sɪˈdadɛlɐ/ |
| Arabic | قلعة (Qal'a) | /ˈqɑːlʕɑ/ |
| Chinese (Mandarin) | 城堡 (Chéngbǎo) | /ʈʂʰəŋ˧˥ pɑʊ˨˩/ |
| Japanese | 城塞 (Jōsai) | /ʑoːsaɪ/ |
| Korean | 성채 (Seongchae) | /sʌŋtʃɛ/ |
| Russian | Цитадель (Tsitadel) | /tsɪˈtadʲɪlʲ/ |
| Hindi | किलें (Kile) | /kɪleː/ |
| Bengali | দুর্গ (Durgo) | /duːrɡo/ |
| Punjabi | ਕਿਲਾ (Kila) | /kɪlaː/ |
| Gujarati | કિલ્લો (Killo) | /kɪlːoː/ |
| Marathi | किल्ला (Killa) | /kɪlːaː/ |
| Telugu | గోపురం (Gopuram) | /ɡoːpʊɾɑːm/ |
| Tamil | கோட்டை (Kottai) | /koːʈʌɪ/ |
| Kannada | ಕೋಟೆ (Kote) | /koːʈeː/ |
| Malayalam | കോട്ട (Kotta) | /koːʈʌ/ |
| Odia | କୋଟ (Kota) | /koːʈa/ |
| Assamese | কিল্লা (Killa) | /kɪlːaː/ |
| Maithili | किल्ला (Killa) | /kɪlːaː/ |
| Urdu | قلعہ (Qila) | /ˈkɪlɑː/ |
Regional Pronunciation Variations
- In some regions, the emphasis on the second syllable is stronger, while in others, the first syllable is more prominent.
- Some languages, like Spanish, maintain a softer "d" sound compared to the English hard "d."
Historical Usage
The word "citadel" has been in use since the medieval period, originally describing a fortress or stronghold within or near a city. It was commonly used in military contexts to refer to a defensive structure that would protect important urban centers from attacks.
Cultural Nuances
In many cultures, citadels are symbols of power and resilience. Historically, they were often built at the highest points to signify dominance and strategic control. The term has also come to be used metaphorically to describe any central place of power or influence, such as political, intellectual, or cultural centers.
More Information
Citadels have played a crucial role throughout history as fortified strongholds that could withstand sieges and defend key cities. In ancient times, they were often the last line of defense in a city's survival. Today, many citadels are historical landmarks, serving as a reminder of past military strategies and as symbols of the importance of defense and security in civilization.