Main Entry: ¹cas·tle

Pronunciation: \ˈka-səl\

Function: noun

Etymology: Middle English castel, from Old English, from Old French & Latin; Old French dial. (Norman-Picard) castel, from Latin castellum fortress, diminutive of castrum fortified place; perhaps akin to Latin castrare to castrate

Date: before 12th century

1 a : a large fortified building or set of buildings b : a massive or imposing house
2 : a retreat safe against intrusion or invasion
3 : ³rook

[castle illustration]