v.tr. (-ies, -ied)
1. provide or equip with defensive works so as to strengthen against attack.
2 strengthen or invigorate mentally or morally; encourage.
3 strengthen the structure of.
4 strengthen (wine) with alcohol.
5 increase the nutritive value of (food, esp. with vitamins).
Derivatives:
fortifiable adj. fortifier n.
Etymology: ME f. OF fortifier f. LL fortificare f. L fortis strong