Strength
(Strength) n. [OE. strengthe, AS. strengðu, fr. strang strong. See Strong.]
1. The quality or state of being strong; ability to do or to bear; capacity for exertion or endurance, whether
physical, intellectual, or moral; force; vigor; power; as, strength of body or of the arm; strength of mind, of
memory, or of judgment.
All his [Samson's] strength in his hairs were.
Chaucer.
Thou must outlive
Thy youth, thy strength, thy beauty.
Milton. 2. Power to resist force; solidity or toughness; the quality of bodies by which they endure the application
of force without breaking or yielding; — in this sense opposed to frangibility; as, the strength of a bone,
of a beam, of a wall, a rope, and the like. "The brittle strength of bones." Milton.
3. Power of resisting attacks; impregnability. "Our castle's strength will laugh a siege to scorn." Shak.
4. That quality which tends to secure results; effective power in an institution or enactment; security; validity; legal
or moral force; logical conclusiveness; as, the strength of social or legal obligations; the strength of law; the
strength of public opinion; strength of evidence; strength of argument.
5. One who, or that which, is regarded as embodying or affording force, strength, or firmness; that on
which confidence or reliance is based; support; security.
God is our refuge and strength.
Ps. xlvi. 1.
What they boded would be a mischief to us, you are providing shall be one of our principal strengths.
Sprat.
Certainly there is not a greater strength against temptation.
Jer. Taylor. 6. Force as measured; amount, numbers, or power of any body, as of an army, a navy, and the like; as,
what is the strength of the enemy by land, or by sea?
7. Vigor or style; force of expression; nervous diction; — said of literary work.
And praise the easy vigor of a life
Where Denham's strength and Waller's sweetness join.
Pope. 8. Intensity; — said of light or color.
Bright Phœbus in his strength.
Shak. 9. Intensity or degree of the distinguishing and essential element; spirit; virtue; excellence; — said of liquors,
solutions, etc.; as, the strength of wine or of acids.
10. A strong place; a stronghold. [Obs.] Shak.
On, or Upon, the strength of, in reliance upon. "The allies, after a successful summer, are too apt,
upon the strength of it, to neglect their preparations for the ensuing campaign." Addison.
Syn. — Force; robustness; toughness; hardness; stoutness; brawniness; lustiness; firmness; puissance; support; spirit; validity; authority.
See Force.
Strength
(Strength), v. t. To strengthen. [Obs.] Chaucer.
Strengthen
(Strength"en) v. t. [imp. & p. p. Strengthened ; p. pr. & vb. n. Strengthening.]
