STRENGTHS
Noun
strengths
plural of strength
Verb
strengths
Third-person singular simple present indicative form of strength
Source: Wiktionary
STRENGTH
Strength, n. Etym: [OE. strengthe, AS. streng, 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 Phoebus 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.
Definition: To strengthen. [Obs.] Chaucer.
Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition