- On the strength of
- Strength Strength, n. [OE. strengthe, AS. streng[eth]u, 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.
[1913 Webster]
All his [Samson's] strength in his hairs were. --Chaucer. [1913 Webster]
Thou must outlive Thy youth, thy strength, thy beauty. --Milton. [1913 Webster]
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. [1913 Webster]
3. Power of resisting attacks; impregnability. ``Our castle's strength will laugh a siege to scorn.'' --Shak. [1913 Webster]
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. [1913 Webster]
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. [1913 Webster]
God is our refuge and strength. --Ps. xlvi. 1. [1913 Webster]
What they boded would be a mischief to us, you are providing shall be one of our principal strengths. --Sprat. [1913 Webster]
Certainly there is not a greater strength against temptation. --Jer. Taylor. [1913 Webster]
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? [1913 Webster]
7. Vigor or style; force of expression; nervous diction; -- said of literary work. [1913 Webster]
And praise the easy vigor of a life Where Denham's strength and Waller's sweetness join. --Pope. [1913 Webster]
8. Intensity; -- said of light or color. [1913 Webster]
Bright Ph[oe]bus in his strength. --Shak. [1913 Webster]
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. [1913 Webster]
10. A strong place; a stronghold. [Obs.] --Shak. [1913 Webster]
{On the strength of}, 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. [1913 Webster]
Syn: Force; robustness; toughness; hardness; stoutness; brawniness; lustiness; firmness; puissance; support; spirit; validity; authority. See {Force}. [1913 Webster]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.
