U

fortify

fortify [fawr-tuh-fahy] SynonymsExamplesWord Origin verb (used with object), for·ti·fied, for·ti·fy·ing.

to protect or strengthen against attack; surround or provide with defensive military works.
to furnish with a means of resisting force or standing strain or wear: to fortify cotton with nylon.
to make strong; impart strength or vigor to: to fortify oneself with a good breakfast.
to increase the effectiveness of, as by additional ingredients: to fortify a diet with vitamins; to fortify a lotion with lanolin.
to strengthen mentally or morally: to be fortified by religious faith.
to confirm or corroborate: to fortify an accusation with facts.
Nutrition. to add one or more ingredients to (a food) to increase its nutritional content.
to add alcohol to (wine or the like).

verb (used without object), for·ti·fied, for·ti·fy·ing.

to set up defensive works; erect fortifications.

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, adjectiveSynonyms for fortify 3. strengthen, reinforce. 5. hearten, embolden. Examples from the Web for well-fortified Contemporary Examples of well-fortified

They were the first to throw Molotov coctails and stones at police and to mount real and well-fortified barricades.

Can Ukraine Control Its Far Right Ultranationalists?

Oleg Shynkarenko

March 1, 2014

It sent chunks of concrete and other debris flying into the street outside the well-fortified compound.

U.S. Embassy Blast in Turkey ‘Act of Terror,’ Possibly Linked to Syria

Mike Giglio, Dan Ephron

February 1, 2013

Historical Examples of well-fortified

Chapultepec was a strong, well-fortified and well-armed fort.

General Scott

General Marcus J. Wright

French gold and cunning diplomacy, not French valor, opened the way into the well-fortified capital.

The Story of Malta

Maturin M. Ballou

Sixteen men had charged and taken a well-fortified position held by at least one thousand Tagalog.

Bamboo Tales

Ira L. Reeves

Wherefore keepest thou here thine army, whilst thine enemy doth hide himself in a well-fortified place?

A Popular History of France From The Earliest Times

Francois Pierre Guillaume Guizot

It is a well-fortified town, and is situated on the banks of a river of the same name, which are cultivated and fertile.

The Gates of India

Thomas Holdich

British Dictionary definitions for well-fortified well-fortified adjective (well fortified when postpositive)

(of a position, garrison, city, etc) having been made defensible
(of a person) having strengthened oneself or been strengthened physically, mentally, or morallythe police were well fortified with steaming mugs of tea

fortify verb -fies, -fying or -fied (mainly tr)

(also intr) to make (a place) defensible, as by building walls, digging trenches, etc
to strengthen physically, mentally, or morally
to strengthen, support, or reinforce (a garment, structure, etc)
to add spirits or alcohol to (wine), in order to produce sherry, port, etc
to increase the nutritious value of (a food), as by adding vitamins and minerals
to support or confirmto fortify an argument with facts

Derived Formsfortifiable, adjectivefortifier, nounfortifyingly, adverbWord Origin for fortify C15: from Old French fortifier, from Late Latin fortificāre, from Latin fortis strong + facere to make Word Origin and History for well-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.