Strength

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]