Dictionary
Find
in
Dictionary
Thesaurus
Translations

Click to move up the list of words
forth
Forth, Firth of
forthcoming
forthright
forthwith
fortieth
fortification
fortified wine
fortify
fortis
fortissimo
fortitude
fortnight
fortnightly
FORTRAN
fortress
fortuitous
Click to move down the list of words
Print Preview
See pronunciation key
Search for "fortify" in all of MSN Encarta
E-mail this entry
Blog about this entry on MSN Spaces
Download the MSN Encarta Right-Click Dictionary

fortify

for·ti·fy [ fáwrtə f ] (past and past participle for·ti·fied, present participle for·ti·fy·ing, 3rd person present singular for·ti·fies)


transitive verb 
Definition:
 
1. make place safer: to make a place less susceptible to attack by building or creating defensive structures such as walls, ditches, or ramparts

2. make something stronger: to strengthen or reinforce the structure of something
fortify a sea wall

3. add ingredients to something: to add further ingredients to food or drink in order to improve its flavor or add nutrients ( usually passive )
breakfast cereal fortified with vitamins

4. encourage somebody: to give somebody physical, mental, or moral strength or encouragement

5. make something more powerful: to make something more powerful or persuasive
fortify an argument

[15th century. Via French fortifier< late Latin fortificare "make strong" < Latin fortis "strong"]

for·ti·fi·a·ble adjective
for·ti·fi·er noun
for·ti·fy·ing·ly adverb
Englishtown: Learn English online
Also on MSN
Encarta Message Boards (© Rubberball/Jupiterimages)
Upgrade your Encarta experience
Encarta RSS Feeds
© 2008 Microsoft