- fortify
- mid-15c., "provide (a town) with walls and defenses," from M.Fr. fortifier, from L.L. fortificare, from L. fortis "strong" (see fort) + facere "to make" (see factitious). Sense of "to strengthen mentally or morally" is from late 15c. Meaning "add liquor or alcohol" is from 1880. Related: Fortified; fortifying.