fortification
(ˌfɔːtɪfɪˈkeɪʃən)
[a. F. fortification, ad. L. fortificātiōn-em, n. of action f. fortificā-re to fortify.]
I. The action of fortifying; in senses of the vb.
† 1. Strengthening, corroboration, ratification.
| 1530–1 Act 22 Hen. VIII, c. 14 [They] haue..procured many men..to the..practise of archerie..to the greate encrease and fortificacions of the same outwarde realmes. 1557–75 Diurn. Occurr. (Bannatyne) 122 To come to Edinburgh to subscriue the fortificatioun of the kingis coronatioun. 1563–87 Foxe A. & M. (1684) III. 454 For the more fortification of that which hath been said. 1609 Skene Reg. Maj., Forme of Proces 116 The defender quha propones the exception, for fortification therof, may propone ane duply, against the libell and reply. 1614 Raleigh Hist. World ii. (1634) 442 Much common good therby likely to arise with mutual fortification of both those kingdoms. 1623 Conway in Ellis Orig. Lett. Ser. i. III. 155 His actes had not need of theire fortification. |
2. a. The strengthening of wine with alcohol.
| 1885 Pall Mall G. 7 Sept. 5/2 Spirits exported to Spain for the fortification of native wines. 1893 Manch. Guard. 19 May 5/4 The duty was raised..to discourage the fortification of Spanish wines with coarse spirits. |
b. The addition of nutrients, usually vitamins, to food.
| 1939 Milbank Mem. Fund Q. XVII. 241 (heading) The public health aspects of the fortification of foods with vitamins and minerals. 1941 Lancet 20 Dec. 773/1 Fortification must be considered solely in relation to the proven need..for a given nutrient. 1967 New Scientist 9 Nov. 328/3 Fortification of cereals and cereal flours with proteins offers the best immediate prospect for alleviating the world's shortage of protein foods. |
3. Mil. a. The action of fortifying or providing with defensive works.
| 1562 Whitehorne tr. Machiavel (title) Certain waies of the orderyng of Souldiers in battelray, & settyng of battailes..also plattes for fortificacion of Townes. 1882 Stevenson New Arab. Nts. (1884) 129 He had no means of fortification, and lay open to attack. |
b. The art or science of fortifying or constructing works of defence.
| 1642 Howell For. Trav. (Arb.) 80 The art of Navigation and Fortification. 1688 Capt. J. S. Fortification 23 Fortification, or Military Architecture, is a Science [etc.]. 1751 Johnson Rambler No. 103 ¶2 We range from city to city, though we profess neither architecture nor fortification. 1828 J. M. Spearman Brit. Gunner (ed. 2) 201 Fortification..is divided into two parts, which are called Permanent or Field Fortification. 1879 Cassell's Techn. Educ. i. 21/2 The science..is termed Fortification. |
| fig. 1649 Jer. Taylor Gt. Exemp. ii. ix. 124 Observe what object is aptest to inflame thee, and by speciall arts of fortification, stop up the avenues to that part. |
II. concr.
4. a. Mil. A defensive work; a wall, earthwork, tower, etc. Chiefly collect. pl.
| 1489 Caxton Faytes of A. ii. xxiv. 137 Upon euery yate muste be made dyuerse deffences and fortyfycacions. 1512 Act 4 Hen. VIII, c. 1 §1 To make Bulwerkes, Brayes..and al other fortificacions. 1604 Shakes. Oth. iii. v. 5 This Fortification (Gentlemen) shall we see't? 1683 Brit. Spec. 18 Strong fortifications do secure thy Ports. 1719 De Foe Crusoe i. iv, I..made me a Door to come out, on the Out⁓side of my Pale or Fortification. 1794 Sullivan View Nat. II. 362 In the neighbourhood of Lexington..are the remains of two ancient fortifications. 1841 W. Spalding Italy & It. Isl. I. 223 We find all the Seven Hills embraced within a fortification which the legendary history ascribes to Servius Tullius. 1863 Lyell Antiq. Man 40 Extensive fortifications to protect them from their enemies. |
b. Comb.: fortification-agate (see quot.).
| 1882 in Cassell. 1892 Dana's Syst. Min. (ed. 6) 189 Ruin-agate or Fortification-agate is a variety with light to dark brown shades, showing, when polished, curious markings well described by the name. |
c. transf. and fig. A means of defence.
| a 1586 Sidney Arcad. i. x. 40 b, The Stagge thought it better to trust to the nimblenes of his feete then to the slender fortification of his lodging. 1653 Walton Angler ii. 41 The gloves of an Otter are the best fortification for your hands against wet weather. 1656–7 Burton's Diary (1828) I. 363 That..is the best fortification for all honest men. 1742 Lond. & Country Brew. i. (ed. 4) 80 Horse-dung should be laid to the Windows as a Fortification against them [winds]. 1751 Johnson Rambler No. 26 ¶7 He was happy in this fortification [an arrangement of bolts and bars]. |
5. † a. gen. A means of strengthening. Obs.
| 1655 Advt. in Culpepper's Pract. Physic, It [aurum potabile] is an Universal Fortification for all Complexions and ages. 1678 Dryden Kind Keeper iv. i, Go, provide..the Westphalia ham, and other fortifications of nature. |
b. spec. The strengthening timbers, etc. of a whaling vessel: see fortify v. 1 b.
| 1820 Scoresby Acc. Arctic Reg. II. 191 The next important part of the fortification is the pointers. |
† c. Gunnery. The additional thickness of metal serving to strengthen certain portions of a cannon.
| 1626 Capt. Smith Accid. Yng. Seamen 32 To..know her leuell poynt blanke..her fortification, the differences of powder [etc.]. 1669 Sturmy Mariner's Mag. v. 65 Canon-Powder is best..for in taking up much room it hath the greater length or fortification of metal about it in the Piece. |