also: ほるい
noun
Refers to a military fortification or defensive structure. Often used in historical or military contexts.
この地域には古い堡塁がいくつか残っている。
Several old forts remain in this area.
敵は堡塁を築いて攻撃に備えた。
The enemy built a fortification and prepared for the attack.
Irregular kanji usage; 保 is a common substitute but not standard for this word.
Irregular kanji with alternate reading; very rare.
The kanji 堡 (fort) and 塁 (rampart) combine to mean a defensive fortification. The reading ほうるい is the standard on'yomi; ほるい is a variant. The irregular form 保塁 uses a common kanji with a similar shape.