for|sythia /fɔː r sa I θiə, [AM ] -s I θ-/ (forsythias ) N‑VAR Forsythia is a bush whose yellow flowers appear in the spring before the leaves have grown.
fort /fɔː r t/ (forts )
1 N‑COUNT A fort is a strong building or a place with a wall or fence around it where soldiers can stay and be safe from the enemy.
2 PHRASE If you hold the fort for someone, or, in American English, if you hold down the fort , you look after things for them while they are somewhere else or are busy doing something else. □ His business partner is holding the fort while he is away. [Also + for ]
forte /fɔː r te I , [AM ] fɔ rt, fɔː r te I / (fortes ) Pronounced /fɔ rt/ for meaning 1 in American English. 1 N‑COUNT [usu sing] You can say that a particular activity is your forte if you are very good at it. □ Originality was never his forte.
2 ADV [ADV after v] A piece of music that is played forte is played loudly. [TECHNICAL ]
forth ◆◇◇ /fɔː r θ/ In addition to the uses shown below, forth is also used in the phrasal verbs 'put forth' and 'set forth'. 1 ADV [ADV after v] When someone goes forth from a place, they leave it. [LITERARY ] □ Go forth into the desert.
2 ADV [ADV after v] If one thing brings forth another, the first thing produces the second. [LITERARY ] □ My reflections brought forth no conclusion.
3 ADV [ADV after v] When someone or something is brought forth , they are brought to a place or moved into a position where people can see them. [LITERARY ] □ Pilate ordered Jesus to be brought forth.
4 back and forth → see back ➊
5 to hold forth → see hold ➍
forth|com|ing /fɔː r θkʌ m I ŋ/
1 ADJ [ADJ n] A forthcoming event is planned to happen soon. □ …his opponents in the forthcoming elections.
2 ADJ [v-link ADJ ] If something that you want, need, or expect is forthcoming , it is given to you or it happens. [FORMAL ] □ They promised that the money would be forthcoming. □ We must first see some real evidence. So far it has not been forthcoming.
3 ADJ [usu v-link ADJ ] If you say that someone is forthcoming , you mean that they willingly give information when you ask them.
forth|right /fɔː r θra I t/ ADJ If you describe someone as forthright , you admire them because they show clearly and strongly what they think and feel. [APPROVAL ]
forth|with /fɔː r θw I θ/ ADV [ADV with v] Forthwith means immediately. [FORMAL ] □ I could have you arrested forthwith!
for|ti|eth ◆◆◇ /fɔː r tiəθ/ ORD The fortieth item in a series is the one that you count as number forty. □ It was the fortieth anniversary of the death of the composer.
for|ti|fi|ca|tion /fɔː r t I f I ke I ʃ ə n/ (fortifications )
1 N‑COUNT [usu pl] Fortifications are buildings, walls, or ditches that are built to protect a place and make it more difficult to attack. □ The government has started building fortifications along its eastern border.
2 → see also fortify
fo r|ti|fied wi ne (fortified wines ) N‑VAR Fortified wine is an alcoholic drink such as sherry or port that is made by mixing wine with a small amount of brandy or strong alcohol.
for|ti|fy /fɔː r t I fa I / (fortifies , fortifying , fortified )
1 VERB To fortify a place means to make it stronger and more difficult to attack, often by building a wall or ditch round it. □ [V n] The knights had fortified the main town on the island.
2 VERB [usu passive] If food or drink is fortified , another substance is added to it to make it healthier or stronger. □ [be V -ed + with ] It has also been fortified with vitamin C. □ [V -ed] …fortified cereal products.
for|tis|si|mo /fɔː r t I s I moʊ/ ADV [ADV after v] A piece of music that is played fortissimo is played very loudly. [TECHNICAL ]
for|ti|tude /fɔː r t I tjuːd, [AM ] -tuːd/ N‑UNCOUNT If you say that someone has shown fortitude , you admire them for being brave, calm, and uncomplaining when they have experienced something unpleasant or painful. [FORMAL , APPROVAL ] □ He suffered a long series of illnesses with tremendous dignity and fortitude.
fort|night /fɔː r tna I t/ (fortnights ) N‑COUNT A fortnight is a period of two weeks. [mainly BRIT ] □ I hope to be back in a fortnight.
fort|night|ly /fɔː r tna I tli/ ADJ [ADJ n] A fortnightly event or publication happens or appears once every two weeks. [BRIT ] □ …an exciting new fortnightly magazine. ● ADV [ADV after v] Fortnightly is also an adverb. □ They recently put my rent up and I pay it fortnightly. [in AM, use biweekly ]
for|tress /fɔː r tr I s/ (fortresses ) N‑COUNT A fortress is a castle or other large strong building, or a well-protected place, which is intended to be difficult for enemies to enter. □ …a 13th-century fortress.
for|tui|tous /fɔː r tjuː I təs, [AM ] -tuː -/ ADJ You can describe something as fortuitous if it happens, by chance, to be very successful or pleasant. □ Their success is the result of a fortuitous combination of circumstances.
for|tu|nate /fɔː r tʃʊn I t/ ADJ [oft ADJ to-inf] If you say that someone or something is fortunate , you mean that they are lucky. □ He was extremely fortunate to survive. □ It was fortunate that the water was shallow. □ She is in the fortunate position of having plenty of choice.