Strength , v. t. To strengthen. [Obs.]
Chaucer.
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.
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