Robustify

Part of speech: verb

Definitions

1. To strengthen or reinforce something so that it becomes more durable, reliable, or resistant to damage or failure
2. To make something more solid, resilient, or capable of withstanding stress, strain, or adverse conditions
3. To enhance the strength or stability of something by adding reinforcement or improving its structural integrity

Etymology: "Robustify" is a plain formation: the adjective "robust" with the suffix "-ify," which English took from Old French "-ifier," itself descended from Latin "-ificare," meaning "to make." The suffix turns an adjective into a verb meaning "to make [something] of that quality," so "robustify" means to make something robust. Its Middle English form was "-ifien," and the modern "-ify" came later. The adjective behind it has a longer past. "Robust" comes from Latin "robustus," literally "oak-like" or "of hardwood," from "robur," meaning oak or hard strength. That Latin sense of hardness and firmness, rather than general sturdiness, is what the suffix is working on: to robustify something is to make it firm and hard-wearing.