réduit

Réduit is a term with multiple related meanings in French and in place names. In the French language, réduit is the past participle of réduire and functions as an adjective meaning reduced, diminished, or made smaller. It can be used in everyday phrases such as prix réduit, indicating a discounted price, or describe something that has been compacted or simplified.

In historical military architecture, a réduit refers to a fortified inner work or last-resort strongpoint within a larger fortress. The concept is akin to a redoubt and is designed to serve as a defensive refuge if outer defenses are breached. Réduits were common in early modern fortifications and could be connected to surrounding works by covered ways or sally ports, forming a compact core that was harder to capture than outer zones.

Geographically, Réduit is the name of a locality in Mauritius. As a toponym, it represents one of several places where the term has been adopted into place-naming, reflecting the influence of French language and culture in the region.

The word appears in various Francophone contexts, retaining its core sense of being reduced or fortified in specific uses. In modern usage, its presence in everyday language is common through phrases describing reduced prices or simplified versions of things, while its historical use endures in discussions of fortifications and military architecture.

See also: redoubt.