Fort and Force Both Come From Strength
A fort is a fortified building. The Latin root meaning strong runs through a long list of English words.
A fort is a fortified building or position. Latin *fortis*, strong, gives an unusually productive family: *force*, *fortify*, *comfort*, *effort* and *fortitude* all rest on it, and so does the musical *forte*, meaning loud. Someone's *forte*, their strong point, is the same word arriving through French. English place names ending in *-chester* mark Roman forts, from Latin *castrum*, a different word for the same thing.
- A fortified place. *An old fort.*
- Fortify — to strengthen. *Fortify.*
- Force — strength. *Force.*
- Forte — a strong point. *His forte.*
- Latin — *fortis*, strong. *The root.*
Word forms
| Form | Word | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Noun | fort | A fort. |
| Plural | forts | Forts. |
| Verb | fortify | Fortifying. |
| Noun | fortress | A fortress. |
| Latin | fortis | Strong. |
- The fort guarded the pass.Defence.
- Comfort comes from the same root.Etymology.
- Forte means loud in music.Related.
The fortis family
- Force — strength applied
- Comfort — to strengthen someone in distress
- Effort — strength put out
- Fortitude — strength of mind
- Forte — loud in music, a strong point in a person
French *fort*, from Latin *fortis*, strong.
Is comfort related to fort?
Yes. It literally means to strengthen someone, from Latin fortis with the prefix com-.
Why do English place names end in -chester?
From Latin castrum, a fort. Names like Manchester and Winchester mark Roman military sites.