How the French language influenced English with the word 'citadel'

'Citadel' is a word borrowed from French 'citadelle'. The word entered the English language some time around 1562.

citadel [noun] [1562]

• a fortress that commands a city
• stronghold

See 'citadel' on the Loan Words Map

See more loan words from French.

Etymology: Middle French 'citadelle' from Old Italian 'cittadella' diminutive of 'cittade' city, from Medieval Latin 'civitat-, civitas'

See more loan words from 1500s.