Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Rampart \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.

Rampart \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.

Source : WordNet®

rampart
     n : an embankment built around a space for defensive purposes;
         "they stormed the ramparts of the city"; "they blew the
         trumpet and the walls came tumbling down" [syn: {bulwark},
          {wall}]