Enfort

/ɪnˈfɔrt/ verb

Definition

An obsolete or archaic word meaning to make strong, to strengthen, or to fortify something.

Etymology

From Old French 'enforcer' (to strengthen), combining 'en-' with 'fort' (from Latin 'fortis,' meaning 'strong'). This is an earlier form of 'enforce' with a slightly different meaning.

Kelly Says

This word is essentially a ghost—it appears so rarely in surviving texts that most scholars debate whether it ever truly existed as a separate word from 'enforce.' Language archaeology sometimes reveals that words we thought were real never actually caught on.

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