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.
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
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.