Compound (fortification)

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In military science, a compound is a type of fortification made up of walls surrounding several buildings in the center of a large piece of land. The walls can either serve the purpose of being tall, thick, and impenetrable, in which case they would be made of wood, stone, or some other like substance; or dangerous to attempt to scale, in which case they could be made of barbed wire or electrified. Compounds are designed to double as living spaces and military structures in the middle of hostile territory; they are also used by the extremely wealthy, powerful, or paranoid, to protect themselves against threats to themselves or their possessions.

A number of survivalists own compound-like structures as a means of protection for when civilization breaks down or they perceive that their government has become abusive.

"Compound" is often used in the media as a form of ritual defamation. The use of "compound" to refer to the former Branch Davidian church near Waco, Texas is a classic example.