Reading Theme:
Castle Meaning, Examples, and Usage (2 meaning)
Meaning 1：fortified medieval residence (castle)
castle
/ˈkæsəl/
n.
A very large, strong building made of stone, with high walls and towers, where kings or lords lived in the past to stay safe from enemies.
fortified medieval residence
➕
/ˈfɔːrtɪfaɪd ˌmedɪˈiːvəl ˈrezɪdəns/
n.
A large stone building with walls and towers, built in the past to protect kings or lords from attacks.
📘 Details & Usage
📖 Root Explanation
From Latin 'castellum' (diminutive of 'castrum' meaning fort), via Old French 'castel'.
💡 Mnemonic
Think of a 'castle' as a 'cast-iron safe' that keeps a king safe from enemies.
📖 Example
The children built a huge castle out of wooden blocks in the living room, complete with a drawbridge.
The children built a huge castle out of wooden blocks in the living room, complete with a drawbridge.
🔗 Collocations
medieval castle – A castle built during the Middle Ages
besiege a castle – To surround and attack a castle to force surrender
castle ruins – The remaining parts of a castle that has fallen into decay
🔄 Synonyms
fortress (n.) – A large strong building used for defending a place against attack
stronghold (n.) – A place that is strongly built and defended
citadel (n.) – A fortress that protects a town, often on high ground
🚫 Antonyms
🌱 Derivatives
castled (adj.) – Having or resembling a castle
castlelike (adj.) – Similar to a castle in appearance or character
📖 Cultural Story
The word originates from Latin 'castellum', a small fort. In medieval Europe, castles served as fortified residences for nobles and defensive strongholds during sieges. Today, they are iconic symbols of the Middle Ages.
Meaning 2：chess rook (castle)
castle
/ˈkæsəl/
n.
In the game of chess, the piece that looks like a small tower and can move straight forwards, backwards or sideways any number of squares.
chess rook
➕
/tʃes rʊk/
n.
In the game of chess, a piece shaped like a small tower that moves any number of squares straight forward, backward, or sideways.
📘 Details & Usage
📖 Example
During their chess match, Sarah moved her castle to protect her king from checkmate.
During their chess match, Sarah moved her castle to protect her king from checkmate.
🔗 Collocations
rook move – The movement of the castle piece along a rank or file
castle side – The side of the board where the rook starts (kingside or queenside)
castle capture – Using the rook to take an opponent's piece
🔄 Synonyms
rook (n.) – The same chess piece, also called a castle
🌱 Derivatives
castling (n.) – A special chess move involving the king and a rook
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