Greek 'akros' (highest) + 'polis' (city) — the fortified high ground at the heart of every Greek city-state.
A citadel or fortified part of an ancient Greek city, typically built on a hill; specifically, the Acropolis of Athens.
From Greek 'akrópolis' (ἀκρόπολις, the upper city, citadel), composed of 'ákros' (ἄκρος, highest, topmost, at the extremity) + 'pólis' (πόλις, city, city-state). Greek 'ákros' derives from PIE *h₂eḱ- (sharp, pointed), the same root that gives 'acrimony,' 'acid,' 'acute,' and 'acme' — height being conceived as a sharp point or peak. Greek 'pólis' derives from PIE *pelh₃- (citadel, fortified high place), which also produced
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