n.
- a large building, typically of the medieval period, which is (or was formerly) fortified as a stronghold.
- Chess, informal old-fashioned term for rook2.
v.
Chess move one's king from its original square two squares along the back rank towards a rook on its corner square which is simultaneously moved to the square passed over by the king.
Phrase
- castles in the air
(or in Spain)
visionary unattainable schemes; daydreams.
Derivative
Etymology
OE: from Anglo-Norman Fr. and Old North. Fr. castel, from L. castellum, dimin. of castrum ‘fort’.