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A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)

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First published 1951 (DOST Vol. II).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Fortify, Fortefy, v. Also: fortyfye, -ifye, -ifie, -iffie, -iefie; foretefy, fortefie; forti-, fortefé. [ME. fortefye (1436), fortyfie (c 1450), fortifie, F. fortifier, L. fortificāre.]

1. tr. To strengthen or support by appropriate action or means.(a) 1472 Edinb. B. Rec. I. 26.
Gif ony disobeyis or deforssis thame, thay sall … fortefie and minister justice to thame thairpoun as efferis c1530-40 Stewart in Bann. MS. 216 a/8.
My pen I will apply … Off femenene the fame to fortefie 1543 Reg. Cupar A. II. 25.
[They] sall fortefie and defend the liberte and commoun wele of this realme 1572-5 Diurn. Occurr. 286.
The said erle of Huntlie wes determined to give nathing, except thay fortefeit the quenis auctoritie 1624 Dumfries Test. I*. 41.
Ane thousand pundis to fortefie it [the legacy] in caice it wer branglit(b) c1552 Lynd. Mon. 2331.
Quhow, the faith for to fortifye, Thay sufferit pane rycht pacientlye Ib. 5248.
Quho doith fortifye or defend Sic law 1560 Rolland Seven S. 10316.
He … fortifeit the band Of greit kindnes, quhilk euir mair did stand 1571 Sat. P. xxvi. 138.
Dowbill murther he dois fortifie 1609 Skene Reg. Maj. ii. 115.
The persewer may fortifie his libell be ane replie

2. To give support, assistance, or backing to (a person).(a) 1490 Irland Mir. I. 110/17.
For to fortefy hire scister the lady dame Verite, com lady Justice 1520 Edinb. B. Rec. I. 200.
Till fortefy and manteine the saidis bonetmakaris in the optenyng … of the act 1569 Glasgow Prot. XI. 184.
In cais the saidis bailȝeis and counsale … fortefeis ony utheris trublaris or molestaris of the said Schir Robert 1596 Highland P. I. 191.
I allegit … [him] be his band … to haif fortefeit and assistit me thairintill(b) 1490 Acta Conc. 125/2.
Patrik and William … sall nocht fortify the partij that beis one-seruit be that inquest c1500-c1512 Dunb. Tua Mar. W. 383.
All thus enforsit he his fa, & fortifyit in strenth 1545 Blackfriars Perth 203.
He fortyfeis thame to withhald fra our said oratours the malis … of thair said lands 1584 Prestwick B. Rec. 80.
The foirsaid bailȝeis … bindis and obleisis thaime … to fortiffie and assist the said Michael in his takis 1614 Fraser P. 117.
To acknowlege, fortifie, and assist oure said commissioner

3. To strengthen by defensive works. 1472 Edinb. Charters etc. 135.
We charge al and sindry … that thai strenth and fortify thair hede rovmys in gude and sekir wise c1552 Lynd. Mon. 1710.
Thay … with strong ingenious masonrye, Upwarte thare work did fortifye 1572 Reg. Privy C. II. 159.
The fortressis that of all ancienitie … hes bene … fortefeit a1597-1617 Hist. Jas. VI 156.
All the entressis [were] fortefeit, and the hous mannit in sik sort [etc.] c1650 Spalding I. 222.
The castell of Edinbrugh is fortefeit and furneshit above any thing that hath bein hard at ony tyme