fortify — early 15c., increase efficacy (of medicine); mid 15c., provide (a town) with walls and defenses, from O.Fr. fortifiier (14c.) to fortify, strengthen, from L.L. fortificare to strengthen, make strong, from L. fortis strong (see FORT (Cf. fort)) +… … Etymology dictionary
fortify — [v1] make strong and secure; add to brace, build up, bulwark, buttress, charge up, consolidate, embattle, entrench, garrison, gird, prepare, prop, protect, punch up*, ready, reinforce, secure, shore up*, soup up*, steel*, step up, strengthen,… … New thesaurus
fortify — [fôrt′ə fī΄] vt. fortified, fortifying [ME fortifien < OFr fortifier < LL fortificare < L fortis, strong (see FORT1) + facere, to make, DO1] 1. to make strong or stronger; strengthen physically, emotionally, etc. 2. to strengthen against … English World dictionary
Fortify — For ti*fy, v. i. To raise defensive works. Milton. [1913 Webster] … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
fortify — I verb assure, augment, authenticate, bolster, brace, buoy, buttress, cheer, confirm, comfort, document, embolden, encourage, endue, entrench, harden, hearten, help, inspirit, invigorate, make safe, nurture, protect, prop, ratify, reaffirm,… … Law dictionary
fortify — *strengthen, invigorate, energize, reinforce Analogous words: rally, *stir, arouse, rouse: stimulate, quicken (see PROVOKE): *renew, restore, refresh Antonyms: enfeeble Contrasted words: *weaken, debilitate: enervate, emasculate (see … New Dictionary of Synonyms
fortify — ► VERB (fortifies, fortified) 1) provide with defensive works as protection against attack. 2) invigorate or encourage. 3) add spirits to (wine) to make port, sherry, etc. 4) increase the nutritive value of (food) by adding vitamins. DERIVATIVES … English terms dictionary
fortify — [[t]fɔ͟ː(r)tɪfaɪ[/t]] fortifies, fortifying, fortified 1) VERB To fortify a place means to make it stronger and more difficult to attack, often by building a wall or ditch round it. [V n] ...British soldiers working to fortify an airbase in… … English dictionary
fortify — fortifiable, adj. fortifier, n. fortifyingly, adv. /fawr teuh fuy /, v., fortified, fortifying. v.t. 1. to protect or strengthen against attack; surround or provide with defensive military works. 2. to furnish with a means of resisting force or… … Universalium
fortify — UK [ˈfɔː(r)tɪfaɪ] / US [ˈfɔrtɪˌfaɪ] verb [transitive] Word forms fortify : present tense I/you/we/they fortify he/she/it fortifies present participle fortifying past tense fortified past participle fortified 1) to protect a place against attack… … English dictionary
