fortette

Fortette is a rarely used term that denotes a small fortification or minor defensive outpost. The word is often described as a diminutive form derived from the French fort with the suffix -ette, and is encountered in historical or regional texts to indicate a lesser fortification associated with a larger fortification or defense line.

A fortette typically refers to a modest structure—earthworks, rubble masonry, or a small masonry enceinte—that may include a simple bastion, watchtower, or limited gun emplacements. It is usually connected to other defenses by walls, trenches, or field works and may be designed to guard a specific approach, supply route, harbor entrance, or the flank of a larger fortification. The exact features and construction methods of fortettes can vary widely depending on the period and locale.

Usage of the term is scarce and not standardized. In modern military terminology, more common descriptors such as fortlet, redoubt, outwork, or small fort are often preferred. In historical literature, fortette may appear as a descriptive label in archival records or regional histories, particularly in discussions of colonial-era fortifications or coastal defenses. Because the term is infrequent, some references treat fortette as a generic diminutive for a fort rather than a distinct class of fortification.

See also: fortlet, redoubt, outwork, small fort, coastal fortifications.