| 释义 |
for·ti·fy
\-ˌfī\ verb
(-ed/-ing/-es)
Etymology: Middle English fortifien, from Middle French fortifier, from Late Latin fortificare, from Latin fortis strong + -ficare -fy — more at fort
transitive verb
1. : to make strong : strengthen: as
a. : to strengthen and secure (as a town) by forts or batteries or by surrounding with fortifications
b. obsolete : to equip and supply (as a garrison or fortress)
c. : to add strength by reinforcing the structure of
< fortifying the dam with riprap >
d. : to give physical strength, courage, or endurance to : invigorate, refresh
< a balanced diet fortifies the system against infection >
< fortified himself with a glass of wine >
e. : to add mental or moral strength to : furnish with resistant power : help to endure : encourage, confirm
< their spirits fortified with prayer >
< fortified by initial successes he determined to carry out his plan >
< let thy spirit fortify me in times of touble >
2. obsolete : to make (as a way) passable
3. : to add material to for the purpose of strengthening or improving: as
a. : to add ethyl alcohol to (as wines)
b. : to enrich (as a foodstuff or diet) by increasing the content of material usually present (as minerals or vitamins) or by adding something not normally present (as an antibiotic)
c. : to bring (as a weak or spent solution) to the proper concentration by addition of a deficient substance
< fortifying spent nitric acid recovered from the nitrating of cellulose with concentrated nitric acid >
intransitive verb
1. obsolete : to grow or become strong
2. : to erect fortifications : prepare military defenses
Synonyms: see strengthen |