fort-, forc-

1. In a loud, forceful manner: This forté is used primarily as a musical instruction to play a certain part with greater intensity, loudness, or volume.

"The musical passage was marked to be performed loudly or in forté.

2. Etymology: from Italian, literally "strong, loud"; from Latin fortis, "strong".

1. That which has been strengthened or protected: "A fortified place is something like a military fort, where people can be protected from danger."

"The warrior who wore a fortified suit of armor had a better chance of surviving during battles."

2. Consuming or doing something that strengthens a person's health: "Those who eat properly and exercise regularly, usually live a more fortified life than those who don't."

1. Anyone who strengthens a someplace with defensive works in order to protect it against attack: "The administer of the city near the coast was given credit for having been a great fortifier of the area for the safety of its citizens."
2. Those who strengthen or invigorate others mentally or physically: "The physical educators were known as fortifiers who improved the health and intellectual well-being of their students."

1. To make a place less susceptible to attack by building or creating defensive structures: "The walls, ditches, and ramparts will all need to be fortified."
2. To strengthen or to reinforce the structure of something: "Because of the threat of flooding, efforts were being made to fortify the sea wall."
3. To add further ingredients to food or drink in order to improve its flavor or to add nutrients: "The food producer was fortifying its cereals with more vitamins."

A condition of being courageous when facing pain, danger, or trouble: When the doctor told Dorothy that she had cancer, she faced the situation with fortitude and a firmness of spirit and determination to do whatever was necessary to overcome the illness.

It was taking a lot of fortitude for Jim to remain cheerful even while he was suffering from so much pain and discomfort.

Fortitude is an inner strength, willpower, and courage; however, there are some writers who use the term with reference to physical strength, stamina, or endurance; which is not quite what fortitude is supposed to mean.

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Fortitude and justice are invincible.

1. A large building or a complex of buildings which are used as military strongholds: "Fortresses are castles or other strong, well protected buildings, that are difficult for enemies to enter."

"The soldiers attacked the fortress at dawn; however, they were unable to defeat the defenders."

"In earlier times, some castles became fortresses in order to defend villages or towns."

"In the Middle Ages in Western Europe, fortresses were constructed as fortified castles for feudal lords, fortified cities, and monasteries and in the 13th and 14th centuries in France alone, it is stated that there were about 50,000 castles and monasteries that existed as fortresses."

2. A term that has been extended to mean a person or place that can resist outside influences or disturbances: "During these difficult economic times, the parents have proven that they are fortresses of comfort and support for their children."

To protect by or to furnish with a strong defensive structure: "Many geographical areas in history have fortressed their villages, towns, etc. so they could protect themselves from invaders who wanted to steal their property and even force them into slavery."

"The people felt the need to fortress their town by constructing a fortress so they could defend themselves against attacks by wandering groups of thieves and killers."

Fire tests gold; adversity [tests] strong men.

Seneca, in De Providentia, warns us that there will be trouble in our lives and we must learn to come to grips with it, telling us that "life is not a bowl of cherries".

In faith, justice, and strength.

Motto of the Order of St. George, Bavaria, Germany.

1. Suitable to make stronger by extra assistance, support, or material: Joan's old jeans were reinforceable with adding patches to the worn out fabric.
2. Inclined to encourage a response by means of a positive stimulus: By using special treats as reinforceable tidbits or goodies for Mary's dog, she was able to teach it to sit down, roll over, or lie down on command!