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for·ti·fy

(fôrtə-fī′)

v. for·ti·fied, for·ti·fy·ing, for·ti·fies

v. tr.

1. To make strong, as:

a. To strengthen and secure (a position) with fortifications.

b. To reinforce by adding material: fortified the riverbank against erosion.

c. To impart physical strength or endurance to; invigorate: felt fortified by a good night's sleep.

d. To give emotional, moral, or mental strength to; encourage: Prayer fortified us during our crisis.

2. To enrich (food, for example), as by adding vitamins.

v. intr.

To build fortifications.

[Middle English fortifien, from Old French fortifier, from Late Latin fortificāre : Latin fortis, strong; see bhergh-² in the Appendix of Indo-European roots + Latin -ficāre, -fy.]

forti·fi′a·ble adj.

forti·fi′er n.

forti·fy′ing·ly adv.

Indo-European & Semitic Roots Appendices

Thousands of entries in the dictionary include etymologies that trace their origins back to reconstructed proto-languages. You can obtain more information about these forms in our online appendices:

Indo-European Roots

Semitic Roots

The Indo-European appendix covers nearly half of the Indo-European roots that have left their mark on English words. A more complete treatment of Indo-European roots and the English words derived from them is available in our Dictionary of Indo-European Roots.

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