/fawr"tis/ , adj., n., pl. fortes /-teez/ . Phonet.
adj.
1. pronounced with considerable muscular tension and breath pressure, resulting in a strong fricative or explosive sound. In stressed position /p, t, k, ch, f, th, s, sh/ and sometimes /h/ are fortis in English as compared with /b, d, g, j, v, z, and zh/ , which are lenis. Cf. lenis .
n.
2. a fortis consonant.
[ 1905-10; ]