fortify

verb13

1. •
   To give power, strength, or vigour to (oneself or someone, or to something); to strengthen.

   • [I]t [“oleum de costo”] fortifyeth yͤ stomack and Lyuer, it keepeth the hayre from fallyng of, & the head from horenesse [hoaryness], it causeth good colour, and sauour in all the body. — 1562
2. •
   To make (something) defensible against attack by hostile forces.
3. •
   To increase the defences of (an army, soldiers, etc.), or put (it or them) in a defensive position.

   • Ile haue you learne to sleepe vpon the ground, / March in your armor thorow watery fens, / […] / Then next, the way to fortifie your men, / In champion grounds, […] — 1587
4. •
   To secure and strengthen (a place, its walls, etc.) by installing fortifications or other military works.

   • Moreover Agrippa vvriteth, that this vvhole coast of Albanie (fortified vvith those high and inaccessible mountains of Caucasus) containeth 425 miles. — 1601
5. •
   To install fortifications or other military works; also (sometimes figurative), to put up a defensive position.

   • […] I vvill vvithdravv my selfe to the Riuer, & there fortifie for fish: for there resteth no minute free from fight. — 1588
6. •
   To make (something) structurally strong; to strengthen.

   • If little things vvith great vve may compare, / Such are the Bees, and such their native Care; / […] / To fortify the Combs, to build the VVall, / To prop the Ruins lest the Fabrick fall: […] — 1697
7. •
   (figurative) To impart fortitude or moral strength to (someone or their determination, or something); to encourage.

   • I vvas not armed by Nature and education vvith the intrepid energy of mind and voice. […] Timidity vvas fortified by pride, and even the success of my pen discouraged the trial of my voice. — 1795
8. •
   To increase the nutritional value of (food) by adding ingredients, especially minerals or vitamins.

   • Soy milk is often fortified with calcium.
9. •
   To add spirits to (wine) to increase the alcohol content.

   • Sherry is made by fortifying wine.
10. •
    To support (one's or someone's opinion, statement, etc.) by producing evidence, etc.; to confirm, to corroborate.

    • [I]t may serue for no smal iustification of the translatour that he fortifyeth his translation vvith the authority of such an auncient manuscript, vvritten aboue eleuen hundred yeares ago, […] — 1621
11. •
    To undergo, or cause to undergo, fortition.
12. •
    (no longer used) To become strong; to strengthen.

    • From Peare-trees grafted upon the free-stock you should cut off the dovvn-right root, that so the other roots may fortifie and extend themselves all about to seeke the best mould. — 1658
13. •
    (no longer used) To provide (a city, a fortress, an army, etc.) with equipment or soldiers.

    • At the same time, I fortified my self vvith the French Captain, and the Supra Cargo, and the other Captain; […] — 1725