Strength (?), n. [OE. strengthe, AS. strengu, 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 Phebus 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.
© Webster 1913.
Strength, v. t.
To strengthen.
[Obs.]
Chaucer.
© Webster 1913.