? Obs. Also 6 forte. [f. FORT sb.1] trans. To defend or protect with a fortification; to fortify; to enclose in a fort; also with in.
1559. in Sir R. Sadler’s Papers (1809), I. 657. The Frenches are to take summe other part of the countrey, and forte it.
a. 1572. Knox, Hist. Ref., Wks. (1846), I. 406. To forte our tounis, and evin the principall port of our realme, and to lay sa strang garnisouns of straingearis thairin.
1747. in Westfield (Mass.) Jubilee (1870), 132. To Consider what measures to take about forting the Town.
1756. G. Washington, Lett., Writ. 1889, I. 360. While you remain in a body at a certain place, forted in, as if to defend yourselves were the sole end of your coming. Ibid. (1757), 508. The inhabitants of this fertile, and (once) populous valley, are now become our most western settlers, save the few families that are forted on the Branch.
absol. 1723. in G. Sheldon, Hist. Deerfield, Mass. (1895), I. 396. These towns can’t stand the strain upon them to watch and ward, scout and fort without pay, while their spring work is pressing to be done, they can’t get a living.
Hence Forted ppl. a. Forting vbl. sb.
1566. Nuce, Seneca’s Octavia, I. iv. sig. C ij.
| That God shone bryght in golden raynie showre, | |
| To Danaes brest through top of fortred [? read forted] towre. |
1603. Shaks., Meas. for M., V. i. 12.
| When it deserues with characters of brasse | |
| A forted residence ’gainst the tooth of time. |
1808. J. Barlow, The Columbiad, V. 760.
| Untrench’d before the town, they dare oppose | |
| Their fielded cohorts to the forted foes. |
1756. in G. Sheldon, Hist. Deerfield, Mass. (1895), I. 646–7. ‘Voted that there shall be forts built at the charge of ye Town.’ A committee of nine men was chosen ‘to Consider & Determine in what way & manner to carry on ye forting.’
