Martello tower
nounEtymology 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”).
1
A short sturdy round masonry fort, especially one constructed at various coastal points in the British Empire during the Napoleonic Wars.
- The martello towers was put up for the Guernsey people to get in out of the way of the Grand Saracen.1974, GB Edwards, The Book of Ebenezer Le Page, New York, published 2007, page 309:
- Synonyms
- Martello