gestärkter

Gestärkter is a German adjective form derived from the verb stärken (to strengthen) and the past participle gestärkt. It describes something that has been strengthened or fortified. In normal use it functions attributively before a noun (for example, gestärkter Stahl – reinforced steel; gestärkter Wein – fortified wine), or predicatively in phrases like Der Stoff ist gestärkt. The form changes according to standard German adjective declension; feminine and neuter forms are gestärkte and gestärktes, and the plural is gestärkte. A common specialized meaning is fortified wine, a drink to which additional alcohol has been added to increase its strength and shelf life. The term is common in technical, architectural, and culinary contexts, as well as historical discussions of fortifications and security.