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.
Defn: To strengthen. [Obs.] Chaucer.
STRENGTHEN
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. Let noble Warwick, Cobham, and the rest, . . . With powerful policy strengthen themselves. Shak.
2. To animate; to encourage; to fix in resolution. Charge Joshua, and encourage him, and strengthen him. Deut. iii. 28.
Syn.
— To invigorate; confirm; establish; fortify; animate; encourage.
STRENGTHEN
Strength"en, v. i.