fort; stronghold; metaphor for unyielding barrier
Meanings
2 senses · 10 examplesnoun
fort; fortress; fortified building for defense at strategic locations
Refers to military or defensive structures, often permanent and heavily fortified.
The ancient castles and forts witnessed that period of war history.
The soldiers held their ground in the frontier fort.
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This fortress is built on the mountaintop, easy to defend but hard to attack.
The walls of the fortress are very thick, able to withstand artillery attacks.
Archaeologists are studying the structure of this medieval fortress.
noun
stronghold; metaphor for things hard to overcome or people resistant to new ideas
Often combined with adjectives like 封建 (feudal), 顽固 (stubborn), or 科学 (scientific) to describe ideological or systemic barriers.
We must break through the stronghold of science to explore unknown territories.
He is conservative in thinking, a stubborn stronghold who finds it hard to accept new ideas.
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This feudal stronghold was finally broken by new ideas.
New technology broke through the fortress of traditional industries.
We need to break down ideological barriers to promote cultural exchange.