Bastille

Pronunciation

• UK IPA: bæˈstɪəɫ, bæˈstiːɫ

Alternative forms

• bastile obsolete

Origin

From Middle French bastille, from Late Latin bastilia, plural of bastile, from bastire ("to build").

Full definition of bastille

Noun

1. A castle tower, or fortified building; a small citadel or fortress.
2. A prison or jail.
• 1663, Samuel Butler, Hudibras, I.2:Thither arriv'd, th' advent'rous Knight
  And bold Squire from their Steeds alight,
  At th' outward Wall, near which there stands
  A Bastile, built t' imprison Hands ....

Anagrams

• bile salt, listable