\Ram"part\, n. [F. rempart, OF. rempar, fr. remparer to
fortify, se remparer to fence or intrench one's self; re- re-
pref. + pref. en- (L. in) + parer to defend, parry, prepare,
L. parare to prepape. See {Pare}.]
1. That which fortifies and defends from assault; that which
   secures safety; a defense or bulwark.
2. (Fort.) A broad embankment of earth round a place, upon
   which the parapet is raised. It forms the substratum of
   every permanent fortification. --Mahan.
Syn: Bulwark; fence; security; guard.
Usage: {Rampart}, {Bulwark}. These words were formerly
       interchanged; but in modern usage a distinction has
       sprung up between them. The rampart of a fortified
       place is the enceinte or main embankment or wall which
       surrounds it. The term bulwark is now applied to
       peculiarly strong outworks which project for the
       defense of the rampart, or main work. A single bastion
       is a bulwark. In using these words figuratively,
       rampart is properly applied to that which protects by
       walling out; bulwark to that which stands in the
       forefront of danger, to meet and repel it. Hence, we
       speak of a distinguished individual as the bulwark,
       not the rampart, of the state. This distinction,
       however, is often disregarded.

\Ram"part\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Ramparted}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Ramparting}.]
To surround or protect with, or as with, a rampart or
ramparts.
      Those grassy hills, those glittering dells, Proudly
      ramparted with rocks.                    --Coleridge.
{Rampart gun} (Fort.), a cannon or large gun for use on a
   rampart and not as a fieldpiece.