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