[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 Club), 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. It wanted not faire pretences of much common good therby likely to arise, with mutuall fortification of both those Kingdoms, against the uncircumcised nations their ancient enemies.
1623. Conway, in Ellis, Orig. Lett., Ser. I. III. 155. And for the Counsells oath, as his actes had not need of theire fortification; soe might his honor and the cause recieve prejudice by their refusall.
2. 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.
8. Mil. The action of fortifying or providing with defensive works.
1562. Whitehorne, trans. Machiavel (title) Certain waies of the orderyng of Souldiers in battelray, & settyng of battailes, after diuers fashions, with their maner of marchyng: And also Fygures of certaine new plattes for fortificacion of Townes.
1882. Stevenson, New Arab. Nts. (1884), 129. He had no means of fortification, and lay open to attack as if he had been lying in the fields.
b. The art or science of fortifying or constructing works of defence.
1641. Howell, For. Trav. (Arb.), 80. Apply himselfe to the most materiall and usefull parts of the Mathematiques, as 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, 12 March, ¶ 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. Mil. A defensive work; a wall, earthwork, tower, etc. Chiefly collect. plural.
1489. Caxton, Faytes of A., II. xxiv. 137. Upon euery yate muste be made dyuerse deffences and fortyfycacyons.
1512. Act 4 Hen. VIII., c. 1 § 1. To make Bulwerkes, Brayes … and al other fortificacions.
1604. Shaks., Oth., III. v. 5. Oth. 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 Outside of my Pale or Fortification.
1794. Sullivan, View Nat., II. 362. In the neighbourhood of Lexington, says Mr. Filson, are the remains of two ancient fortifications, furnished with ditches and bastions.
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 houndes were straight uncoupled, and ere long 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, in my thoughts, is the best fortification for all honest men.
1742. Lond. & Country Brew., I. (ed. 4), 80. When they [winds] happen to be too violent, Horse-dung should be laid to the Windows as a Fortification against them.
1751. Johnson, Rambler, No. 126, 1 June, ¶ 7. He was happy in this fortification [an arrangement of bolts and bars], till being asked how he would escape if he was threatened by fire.
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 Bottle of Clary, the Westphalia ham, and other Fortifications of Nature.
b. spec. The strengthening timbers, etc., of a whaling vessel: see FORTIFY v. i b.
1820. Scoresby, Acc. Arctic Reg., II. 191. The next important part of the fortification is the pointers, which consist of four or more crooked timbers, fitting the curve of the ship’s bow on each side.
† 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 and best at randome, her fortification, the differences of powder, be it serpentinne or corned powder.
1669. Sturmy, Mariner’s Mag., V. 65. Canon-Powder is best for Ordnance … for in taking up much room it hath the greater length or fortification of metal about it in the Piece.
