fortifyv.
/ˈfɔːtᵻfʌɪ/, U.S. /ˈfɔrdəˌfaɪ/ I. To make strong.† 3. † 6. intransitive. To gain strength, grow strong. Obsolete.
1.
a. transitive. To strengthen structurally. Now somewhat rare.
ΚΠ
a1500 (?c1450) Merlin xii. 187 He made to a-mende and fortyfie the wallis of the town ther, as thei were most feble.
1697 J. Dryden tr. Virgil Georgics iv, in tr. Virgil Wks. 130 The grave experienc'd Bee..Employ'd at home..To fortify the Combs, to build the Wall. View more context for this quotation
1726 G. Leoni tr. L. B. Alberti Architecture II. 113/2 They shou'd also be fortifyed all round with strong brick work.
1886 R. Willis & J. W. Clark Archit. Hist. Univ. Cambr. III. 545 Fortifying the wood-work of the Dome and Lantern.
b. spec. To strengthen (a gun) by additional thickness of metal. Cf. fortification n. 5c. Also, to strengthen (a ship) for especial emergency, by means of additional timbers, etc.
ΘΚΠ
society > armed hostility > military equipment > production and development of arms > produce or develop arms [verb (transitive)] > processes in gun-making
stock1539
ranforce1547
newel1611
rifle1619
fortify1627
screw1635
chamber1708
reborea1792
flint1803
restocking1805
vent1828
percussionize1832
ream1841
percussion1844
restock1844
retube1846
revent1864
reline1875
sleeve1976
society > travel > travel by water > vessel, ship, or boat > shipbuilding and repairing > build a ship [verb (transitive)] > specific operations
berth1627
reconcile1633
ceil1691
frieze1769
skin1774
score1779
mould1797
ribband1805
fortify1820
horn1850
spall1850
convert1862
1627 J. Smith Sea Gram. xiv. 71 Those small Peeces are better fortified than the greater.
1669 S. Sturmy Mariners Mag. v. 62 You must work as if the Piece were fortified no more than only so much as the thinnest part of the Metal is.
1820 W. Scoresby Acct. Arctic Regions II. 508 The new ship..is fortified within the bow.
1853 E. K. Kane U.S. Grinnell Exped. (1856) xv. 112 She was..fortified with three additional strips of boiler iron.
c. To cover or bind with some protective material or appliance. (Now coloured by senses 7, 8.)
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > relative position > condition of being external > covering > cover [verb (transitive)] > cover and protect
shrouda1400
fortify1607
loricate1623
protect1839
cocoon1948
mask1961
sleeve1980
1607 E. Topsell Hist. Foure-footed Beastes 478 Men armed with shields, and fortified all ouer with thonges of leather.
1682 R. Boyle Contin. New Exper. Physico-mech.: 2nd Pt. 21 A little [Air] brake into the Receiver..because I had neglected to fortifie the Cover with Turpentine.
1699 J. Potter Archæologiæ Græcæ II. iii. xv. 141 The whole Fabrick..was fortify'd with Pitch to secure the Wood from the Waters.
1706 T. Hearne Remarks & Coll. 7 Feb. Being us'd to fortifie himself against weather by..a thick Robe.
1798 W. Blair Soldier's Friend (Dublin ed.) 31 Ingenious modes of fortifying shoes, and rendering them water-proof.
1803 Duke of Wellington Dispatches (1837) 20 Jan. I. 397 Kegs of six gallons each, well fortified with iron hoops.
1850 C. Merivale Hist. Romans under Empire I. v. 215 Camillus..fortified the shield with a rim of metal.
2. To impart strength or vigour to (the body, its organs, or powers, †a plant); to give (a person, oneself) strength or endurance for some effort.
ΘΚΠ
the world > life > the body > bodily constitution > bodily strength > strengthening > make strong [verb (transitive)]
strengha1175
strengthc1300
fastena1398
starka1400
fortify14..
enstrength1483
roborate1534
enstrengthen1539
strengthen1539
strengthen1546
masculate1623
nerve1694
nervate1792
14.. J. Lydgate Secrees 1959 Wyn..ffortefieth the heete in the body natural.
1578 H. Lyte tr. R. Dodoens Niewe Herball ii. lxxi. 241 It doth fortefie and strengthen the harte.
1677 W. Harris tr. N. Lémery Course Chym. ii. xii. 284 The Turks will take the bigness of a hazle Nut [of opium] to fortifie themselves when they are going to fight.
1691 J. Ray Wisdom of God Ep. Ded. sig. A2v To fortifie you in your Athletick Conflicts.
1719 G. London & H. Wise J. de la Quintinie's Compl. Gard'ner (ed. 7) 212 We endeavour to fortifie it, and make it grow big all Summer, by watering and cropping it.
1849 R. T. Claridge Cold-water Cure 42 Cold water, as a beverage, fortifies the stomach and intestines.
1864 C. Dickens Our Mutual Friend (1865) I. i. xiii. 123 Mr. Inspector, hastily fortifying himself with another glass.
a. To render more powerful or effective; to strengthen, reinforce with additional resources or co-operation; to garrison (a fortress); to provide (an army, etc.) with necessaries. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
society > authority > power > make powerful [verb (transitive)]
to set up1387
ablec1425
fortify1470
strengthen1541
power1592
empower1643
invirtuate1650
society > armed hostility > defence > defend [verb (transitive)] > garrison
set971
bemanc1175
ward1340
garnish?a1400
stuffc1400
fortify1470
force1535
garrison1569
garnison1583
garrisonize1657
the world > relative properties > quantity > increase in quantity, amount, or degree > [verb (transitive)] > increase in strength or force
afforce1425
forcec1430
reforcec1450
fortify1470
reinforcec1485
stiffen?a1500
strengthen1548
toughen1582
invigorate1646
hardena1677
recruit1678
emphasize1800
bastion1822
beef1941
the mind > possession > supply > provide or supply (something) [verb (transitive)] > provide or supply (a person or thing) with anything > equip or outfit
frameOE
dightc1275
fayc1275
graith1297
attire1330
purveyc1330
shapec1330
apparel1366
harnessc1380
ordaina1387
addressa1393
array1393
pare1393
feata1400
point1449
reparel?c1450
provide1465
fortify1470
emparel1480
appoint1490
deck?15..
equip1523
trim1523
accoutre1533
furnish1548
accommodate1552
fraught1571
suit1572
to furnish up1573
to furnish out1577
rig1579
to set out1585
equipage1590
outreik1591
befit1598
to furnish forth1600
fita1616
to fit up1670
outrig1681
to fit out1722
mount?1775
outfit1798
habilitate1824
arm1860
to fake out1871
heel1873
society > armed hostility > military organization > logistics > practise logistics [verb (transitive)] > provision > strengthen with fresh supplies
fortify1470
renforce?1473
relieve1487
re-enforce1579
the world > action or operation > advantage > efficacy > be efficacious for [verb (transitive)] > render efficacious
fortify1617
virtuate1632
invirtuate1821
the world > relative properties > quantity > increase in quantity, amount, or degree > [verb (transitive)] > increase in strength or force > with additional numbers or resources
fortify1670
strengthen1820
1470–85 T. Malory Morte d'Arthur i. xviii They had..moo than eyght thousand for to fortyfye alle the fortresses in the marches of Cornewaylle.
c1500 Robert Deuyll in W. J. Thoms Coll. Early Prose Romances (1828) I. 6 He euer prayed to God to sende hym a chylde..to multyply and fortyfy his lynage.
1523 Ld. Berners tr. J. Froissart Cronycles I. lxxii. 94 The countesse..fortifyed all her garisons of euery thyng yt they wanted.
1548 Hall's Vnion: Henry VI f. clxv He fortified Burdeaux with Englishmen & victayle.
1617 J. Woodall Surgions Mate 225 It fortifieth the other medicines, and doubleth their forces.
1670 C. Cotton tr. G. Girard Hist. Life Duke of Espernon i. ii. 69 The Inhabitants of the Suburbs of St. Germains were order'd to slip in to fortifie the attempt.
1701 J. Swift Disc. Contests Nobles & Commons i. 8 They admitted three thousand into a share of the Government; and thus fortified, became the cruellest Tyranny upon Record.
1725 D. Defoe New Voy. round World i. 29 I fortified my self with the French Captain, and the Supra Cargo.
b. To arm, strengthen with weapons. Cf. 7. rare.
ΘΚΠ
the world > animals > animal body > general parts > [verb (transitive)] > arm with organs of offence or defence
arma1398
fortify1711
1711 J. Addison Spectator No. 121. ¶3 That great Variety of Arms with which Nature has differently fortifyed the Bodies of several kind of Animals, such as Claws, Hoofs, and Horns.
4.
a. To strengthen (liquors) with alcohol.
ΘΚΠ
the world > food and drink > drink > manufacture of alcoholic drink > [verb (transitive)] > strengthen with alcohol
fortify1880
1880 Act 43 & 44 Vict. c. 24 §70 Any spirits warehoused..may be used in the warehouse for fortifying wines.
1894 C. N. Robinson Brit. Fleet 142 In 1869 the present practice of fortifying the [lime] juice with rum was resorted to.
b. To add nutrients, usually vitamins, to (food).
ΘΚΠ
the world > food and drink > food > food manufacture and preparation > preparation for table or cooking > adding vitamins or nutrients > add vitamins or nutrients [verb (transitive)]
fortify1940
vitaminize1944
1940 Nature 27 July 118/2 There will now be two outstanding examples of fortified foodstuffs, bread and margarine.
1941 Ann. Reg. 1940 345 Recognition..of the need to fortify various products such as bread, margarine etc., with vitamins.
1942 Endeavour I. i. 30/2 1 gram of calciferol is sufficient to fortify 40 tons of margarine.
1967 New Scientist 9 Nov. 328/3 By 1969..all emergency shipments of grain will be fortified to the optimal extent either with amino acids or with protein concentrates.
5.
a. To strengthen mentally or morally; to endow with immaterial resources; to impart fortitude to; to cheer, encourage.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > courage > encouragement > encourage or embolden [verb (transitive)] > strengthen morally
comfortc1290
enforcec1386
supprise1447
fortify1477
strengthen1534
magnanimate1640
uphold1820
1477 Earl Rivers tr. Dictes or Sayengis Philosophhres (Caxton) (1877) lf. 10 It apparteigneth to euery man..to seke science, and ther with to fortiffie hym hauyng a good eye vpon his enemyes.
1574 J. Baret Aluearie F 948 To haue a hart fortified with wisedome.
a1586 Sir P. Sidney Arcadia (1590) ii. iv. sig. Q5 Which..so..greatly fortified her desires, to see, that her mother had the like desires.
1699 J. Locke Some Thoughts conc. Educ. §70. 100 A young Man, before he leaves the shelter of his Father's House, should be fortified with Resolution to secure his Vertue.
1751 S. Johnson Rambler No. 155. ⁋8 Every delay gives vice another opportunity of fortifying itself by habit.
1761 D. Hume Hist. Eng. II. xxiii. 69 The king..fortified by this unsuccessful attempt to dethrone him.
a1794 E. Gibbon Life (1839) viii. 238 Timidity was fortified by pride.
1875 M. Arnold Ess. Crit. (ed. 3) vii. 269 Their courage was fortified by a fervent prayer.
b. To confirm, corroborate, add support to (a statement, etc.). to fortify oneself: to confirm one's statement, etc. †Also (rarely) intransitive for reflexive.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > language > statement > assurance, confirmation, or guarantee > assure, confirm, or guarantee [verb (transitive)]
certify1330
highta1375
testify1393
fortifyc1449
avoucha1513
aver1548
vouch1591
the mind > language > statement > assurance, confirmation, or guarantee > assure, confirm, or guarantee [verb (reflexive)]
fortify1850
c1449 R. Pecock Repressor (1860) 285 To fortofie and strengthe the same badde answere.
1529 T. More Dialogue Heresyes i, in Wks. 164/1 That glose he would haue fortified..with another worde of Christ.
?1533 G. Du Wes Introductorie for to lerne Frenche sig. Ddii My lorde the president fortifying, sayd that we be nat bounde by the lawe to say.
1678 Spanish Hist. 5 To fortifie his Reasons, he sent us a Manifesto.
1833 H. Martineau Loom & Lugger ii. v. 96 A distinct charge is brought against you, fortified by particulars.
1850 R. W. Emerson Plato in Representative Men ii. 58 If he made transcendental distinctions, he fortified himself by drawing all his illustrations from sources disdained by orators.
ΘΚΠ
the world > plants > by growth or development > defined by good growth > grow well or flourish [verb (intransitive)] > grow well or flourish
growc725
thrivec1175
flourish1303
provec1330
encrec1420
delighta1475
prosper1535
addle1570
fortify1605
ramp1607
luxuriate1621
succeed1812
the world > relative properties > quantity > increase in quantity, amount, or degree > [verb (intransitive)] > in intensity or degree
waxc897
reforce1490
rise1594
fortify1605
strengthena1616
harden1625
intend1655
thicken1672
exasperate1742
intensify1853
thick1879
to hot up1922
to build up1936
1605 F. Bacon Of Aduancem. Learning ii. sig. Yy1 How they [sc. the affections] gather and fortifie . View more context for this quotation
1658 J. Evelyn tr. N. de Bonnefons French Gardiner 165 Leaving the least to bear seed, and that the plant may fortifie.
1660 R. Sharrock Hist. Propagation & Improvem. Veg. 126 Bind up..the strongest and forwardest first, letting the other fortifie.
II. To strengthen against attack.in extended use.1601 P. Holland tr. Pliny Hist. World I. 111 This isle is fortified with the mount Prion.1705 J. Addison Remarks Italy 8 A Rock that runs out into the Sea, and is well fortify'd by Nature.1726 G. Leoni tr. L. B. Alberti Architecture II. 121/1 A Pier..to fortifie a Port.figurative.1548 Hall's Vnion: Richard III f. xlijv Realmes and countries are fortified and munited with a double power.1644 J. Milton Areopagitica 16 Shut and fortifie one gate against corruption.1775 S. Johnson Taxation no Tyranny 31 His house is fortified by the law.1850 C. Merivale Hist. Romans under Empire I. ix. 404 He..fortified his position against the malevolence of a future consul.figurative and in extended use.1591 J. Lyly Endimion i. iii. sig. Cv I will withdraw my selfe to the Riuer, & there fortifie for fish.1609 W. Shakespeare Sonnets lxiii. sig. E2 For such a time do I now fortifie Against confounding Ages cruell knife. View more context for this quotation
7. transitive. To provide (a town or its walls) with defensive works; to protect with fortifications.
ΘΚΠ
society > armed hostility > defence > defensive work(s) > fortify [verb (transitive)]
fastenOE
enfirm1297
ofstrengthc1325
strengthc1325
warnc1330
ward1340
warnestorec1374
abattlec1380
embattlec1380
fortify1436
bulwark1450
strengthen1450
bastille1480
enstrength1483
rempare1525
munite1533
fence1535
force1535
ranforce1547
rampire1550
fort1559
ramforce1570
fortificate1575
refortify1579
ensconce1590
munify1596
sconce1598
renforce1602
harness1611
munish1633
tackle1645
schanze1901
1436 Pol. Poems (Rolls) II. 166 To fortefye anone he dyd devyse Of englysshe townes iij.
1485 W. Caxton tr. Thystorye & Lyf Charles the Grete sig. hvijv/1 The walles of that cyte ben..fortefyed with toures.
1582 N. Lichefield tr. F. L. de Castanheda 1st Bk. Hist. Discouerie E. Indias lvii. 120 All their houses well fortified with sundry trenches round about.
1611 Bible (King James) Isa. xxii. 10 The houses haue yee broken downe to fortifie the wall. View more context for this quotation
1759 W. Robertson Hist. Scotl. I. ii. 152 These were immediately commanded to fortify Leith.
1816 M. Keating Trav. (1817) I. 86 It is environed with walls, but not regularly fortified.
1893 Academy 13 May 411/2 The opposite bank..was admirably fortified.
8. To surround (an army, oneself) with defences; to put in a position of defence.
ΘΚΠ
society > armed hostility > defence > defend [verb (transitive)] > equip for defence
fortify1548
ingarnisha1578
fence?1579
harden1958
1548 Hall's Vnion: Henry V f. xlviiiv The fotemen were hedged about with the stakes... This deuice of fortifiyng an armye was at this tyme fyrst inuented.
1590 C. Marlowe Tamburlaine: 2nd Pt. sig. H3 I'le haue you learne..the way to fortifie your men.
1837 W. Irving Adventures Capt. Bonneville III. 47 Here they proceeded to fortify themselves.
9. intransitive. To erect fortifications; to establish a position of defence.
ΘΚΠ
society > armed hostility > defence > defensive work(s) > throw up fortifications [verb (intransitive)]
bulwark1545
fortify1576
1576 W. Lambarde Perambulation of Kent 162 Sailing vp the Riuer of Thamise, he fortifieth at Middleton.
1641 Naunton's Fragmenta Regalia sig. F4v They will first fortifie, and learne the strength of the Rebells.
1774 T. Pennant Tour Scotl. 1772 293 No people will give them~selves the trouble of fortifying amidst the security of friends.
a1885 U. S. Grant Pers. Mem. I. 331 The enemy was fortifying at Corinth.
Derivatives
ˈfortifying adj.
ΘΚΠ
the world > life > the body > bodily constitution > bodily strength > strengthening > [adjective]
strengthening1571
roborating1615
enabling1628
strengthing1672
steeling1849
fortifying1863
the mind > will > decision > constancy or steadfastness > [adjective] > capable of moral effort or endurance > strengthening of moral purpose
fortifying1863
1863 B. Jerrold Signals of Distress 22 Soup, made of sound and fortifying materials.
1872 W. Bagehot Physics & Polit. (1876) 217 The fortifying religions..those which lay the plainest stress on the manly parts of morality.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1897; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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