VERDUN, an ancient, strong, and considerable town of France, in the department of Meuse, and late province of Lorraine, with a bishop's see, and a strong citadel. Its fortifications were constructed by the Che-
valier de Ville and Marshal de Vauban. The latter was a native of this place. In 1753, great part of the cathedral was destroyed by lightning. Verdun was taken by the Prussians in 1792, but retaken by the French soon after. The inhabitants are noted for the fine sweetmeats they make. It is seated on the river Meuse, which runs through the middle, 42 miles south-west of Luxemburg, and 150 east of Paris. E. lon. 5° 28' N. lat. 43° 9'.