Martello tower

English

A Martello tower in Essex, England.

Etymology

From a corruption of Corsican Torra di Mortella (literally “Tower of Mortella”), a tower in Corsica which was used as the basis for the design; possibly influenced by Italian martello (“hammer”).

Noun

Martello tower (plural Martello towers)

1. A short sturdy round masonry fort, especially one constructed at various coastal points in the British Empire during the Napoleonic Wars.
   • 1974, GB Edwards, The Book of Ebenezer Le Page, New York, published 2007, page 309:

     The martello towers was put up for the Guernsey people to get in out of the way of the Grand Saracen.

Synonyms

• Martello