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fortify

[fawr-tuh-fahy]
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verb (used with object), for·ti·fied, for·ti·fy·ing.
  1. to protect or strengthen against attack; surround or provide with defensive military works.
  2. to furnish with a means of resisting force or standing strain or wear: to fortify cotton with nylon.
  3. to make strong; impart strength or vigor to: to fortify oneself with a good breakfast.
  4. to increase the effectiveness of, as by additional ingredients: to fortify a diet with vitamins; to fortify a lotion with lanolin.
  5. to strengthen mentally or morally: to be fortified by religious faith.
  6. to confirm or corroborate: to fortify an accusation with facts.
  7. Nutrition. to add one or more ingredients to (a food) to increase its nutritional content.
  8. to add alcohol to (wine or the like).
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verb (used without object), for·ti·fied, for·ti·fy·ing.
  1. to set up defensive works; erect fortifications.
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Origin of fortify

1400–50; late Middle English fortifien < Middle French fortifier < Late Latin fortificāre, equivalent to Latin forti(s) strong + -ficāre -fy
Related formsfor·ti·fi·a·ble, adjectivefor·ti·fi·er, nounfor·ti·fy·ing·ly, adverbnon·for·ti·fi·a·ble, adjectivenon·for·ti·fy·ing, adjectivere·for·ti·fy, verb (used with object), re·for·ti·fied, re·for·ti·fy·ing.un·der·for·ti·fy, verb (used with object), un·der·for·ti·fied, un·der·for·ti·fy·ing.un·for·ti·fi·a·ble, adjectiveun·for·ti·fied, adjectivewell-for·ti·fied, adjective

Synonyms

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3. strengthen, reinforce. 5. hearten, embolden.
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Related Words

guardedprotectedwalledstrengthenedsecuredbarricadedarmoredentrenchedarmedmannedgarrisonedstrong

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British Dictionary definitions for fortified

fortify

verb -fies, -fying or -fied (mainly tr)
  1. (also intr) to make (a place) defensible, as by building walls, digging trenches, etc
  2. to strengthen physically, mentally, or morally
  3. to strengthen, support, or reinforce (a garment, structure, etc)
  4. to add spirits or alcohol to (wine), in order to produce sherry, port, etc
  5. to increase the nutritious value of (a food), as by adding vitamins and minerals
  6. to support or confirmto fortify an argument with facts
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Derived Formsfortifiable, adjectivefortifier, nounfortifyingly, adverb

Word Origin

C15: from Old French fortifier, from Late Latin fortificāre, from Latin fortis strong + facere to make
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for fortified

fortify

v.

early 15c., "increase efficacy" (of medicine); mid-15c., "provide (a town) with walls and defenses," from Old French fortifiier (14c.) "to fortify, strengthen," from Late Latin fortificare "to strengthen, make strong," from Latin fortis "strong" (see fort) + facere "to make" (see factitious).

Sense of "to strengthen mentally or morally" is from late 15c. Meaning "add liquor or alcohol" is from 1880. Related: Fortified; fortifying.

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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper