fortaleza
/foɾtaˈleθa/ · B1 · noun · f
fortress
🏰💪 Latin fortis = strong: fort + -aleza, the same root as fortress and fortitude
Fortaleza comes from Latin fortis, strong, via Occitan fortalessa. Strong walls make a fortress, and strength of character is fortitude. The -eza ending makes a noun, as in belleza (beauty), and these nouns are feminine: la fortaleza.