fortify

Etymology

Definitions

1. 1

   To give power, strength, or vigour to (oneself or someone, or to something)

   To give power, strength, or vigour to (oneself or someone, or to something); to strengthen.

   • [I]t [“oleum de costo”] fortifyeth yͤ ſtomack and Lyuer, it keepeth the hayre from fallyng of, & the head from horeneſſe [hoaryness], it cauſeth good colour, and ſauour in all the body.
   • [T]hey admitted three thouſand into a ſhare of the Government; and thus fortified, became the cruelleſt Tyranny upon Record.
2. 2

   To support (one's or someone's opinion, statement, etc.) by producing evidence, etc.

   To support (one's or someone's opinion, statement, etc.) by producing evidence, etc.; to confirm, to corroborate.

   • And vnto that texte he wold haue made you a gloſe, that his father and he were one not in ſubſtaunce but in will. And that gloſe he would haue fortified and made ſomewhat ſemely with an other worde of Chriſt, […]
   • [I]t may ſerue for no ſmal iuſtification of the tranſlatour that he fortifyeth his tranſlation vvith the authority of ſuch an auncient manuſcript, vvritten aboue eleuen hundred yeares ago, […]
3. 3

   To increase the nutritional value of (food) by adding ingredients, especially minerals or…

   To increase the nutritional value of (food) by adding ingredients, especially minerals or vitamins.

   • Soy milk is often fortified with calcium.
   • Compare the nutrition information label of a regular ready-to-eat fortified cereal with that of a presweetened brand and you'll note that, although the sweetened one's sugar content is higher, the fortification is virtually identical.
4. ›+ 10 more definitionsshow fewer

   1. 4

      To impart fortitude or moral strength to (someone or their determination, or something)

      To impart fortitude or moral strength to (someone or their determination, or something); to encourage.

   2. 5

      To make (something) defensible against attack by hostile forces.

   3. 6

      To make (something) structurally strong

      To make (something) structurally strong; to strengthen.

      • If little things vvith great vve may compare, / Such are the Bees, and ſuch their native Care; / […] / To fortify the Combs, to build the VVall, / To prop the Ruins leſt the Fabrick fall: […]
   4. 7

      To increase the defences of (an army, soldiers, etc.), or put (it or them) in a defensive…

      To increase the defences of (an army, soldiers, etc.), or put (it or them) in a defensive position.

      • Ile haue you learne to ſleepe vpon the ground, / March in your armor thorow watery fens, / […] / Then next, the way to fortifie your men, / In champion grounds, […]
   5. 8

      To secure and strengthen (a place, its walls, etc.) by installing fortifications or other…

      To secure and strengthen (a place, its walls, etc.) by installing fortifications or other military works.

      • But Baſilius (having bene the last day ſomevvhat vnprouided) novv had better fortified the ouerthrovvne ſconſe; and so vvell had prepared every thing for defence, that it vvas impoſſible for any valour from vvithin, to prevaile.
      • Moreover Agrippa vvriteth, that this vvhole coaſt of Albanie (fortified vvith thoſe high and inacceſſible mountains of Caucaſus) containeth 425 miles.
      • And ye haue numbred the houſes of Jeruſalem, and the houſes haue yee broken downe to fortifie the wall.
   6. 9

      To provide (a city, a fortress, an army, etc.) with equipment or soldiers.

      • At the ſame time, I fortified my ſelf vvith the French Captain, and the Supra Cargo, and the other Captain; […]
   7. 10

      To add spirits to (wine) to increase the alcohol content.

      • Sherry is made by fortifying wine.
   8. 11

      To install fortifications or other military works

      To install fortifications or other military works; also (sometimes figurative), to put up a defensive position.

      • […] I vvill vvithdravv my ſelfe to the Riuer, & there fortifie for fiſh: for there reſteth no minute free from fight.
      • For ſuch a time do I novv fortifie / Againſt confounding Ages cruell knife, / That he ſhall neuer cut from memory / My ſvveet loues beauty, though my louers life.
   9. 12

      To become strong

      To become strong; to strengthen.

      • From Peare-trees grafted upon the free-ſtock you ſhould cut off the dovvn-right root, that ſo the other roots may fortifie and extend themſelves all about to ſeeke the beſt mould.
   10. 13

       To undergo, or cause to undergo, fortition.

The neighborhood

• neighborfort
• neighborfortification
• neighborfortress
• neighborcastellateto strengthen (a place, etc.) by installing fortifications
• neighborincastellateto strengthen (a place, etc.) by installing fortifications
• neighborincastleto strengthen (a place, etc.) by installing fortifications