Part 854

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"en (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Strengthened (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Strengthening.] 1. To make strong or stronger; to add strength to; as, to strengthen a limb, a bridge, an army; to strengthen an obligation; to strengthen authority.