strengthen, v.
(ˈstrɛŋθ(ə)n)
Also 3–4 strenþin, 4–5 strenkþen; pa. tense 5 Sc. stryngthnit.
[f. strength n.; cf. strength v. and -en5.]
1. trans. To give moral support, courage, or confidence to (a person); to encourage, hearten, inspirit, fix in resolution.
The first example may belong to strength v., as the inflected inf. does occur, though rarely, in the text quoted.
| a 1300 Cursor M. 22366 (Edin.) He sale..strenþin [Cott. strength] þaim ogain þat siȝte [? read fiȝte]. c 1450 Mirk's Festial 285 Þe wheche bred ȝe schull pray our gostly Fadyr forto ȝeue you..þat ȝe mowe ete þat in your hert yche day aftyr yn your labour, and soo strenkþen your soule þerwyth þat [etc.]. 1557 N. T. (Geneva) Luke xxii. 32 Therfore when thou art conuerted, strengthen thy brethren. 1582 N. T. (Rheims) Luke xxii. 43 There appeared to him an Angel from heauen, strengthening him [so 1611]. 1593 Shakes. 3 Hen. VI, ii. vi. 7 Impairing Henry, strength'ning misproud Yorke. 1611 Bible Deut. iii. 28 But charge Ioshua, and encourage him, and strengthen him. 1628 Feltham Resolves i. xxiv. (1636) 84 The good mans goodnesse, lies not hid in himselfe alone: hee is still strengthening of his weaker Brother. 1651 Hobbes Leviath. ii. xxviii. 162 The Subjects did not give the Soveraign that right; but onely in laying down theirs, strengthened him to use his own as he should think fit. 1760–72 H. Brooke Fool of Quality (1792) II. 170 A little resentful haughtiness arose in his mind, and strengthened it against the violence of the reproofs that he expected. 1830 Tennyson Ode to Memory 5 Strengthen me, enlighten me! 1856 Froude Hist. Eng. II. viii. 247 A country strengthened in hostility by the means which has been used to subdue it. 1861 J. A. Alexander Gosp. Christ xxxi. 412 Brethren, Christ strengthens us by his example. |
b. To confirm (a person in an opinion).
| 1833 J. Davidson Embalming 17 There is one leading peculiarity which strengthens me in the opinion I have offered, viz. [etc.]. 1860 Tyndall Glac. i. x. 67, I was strengthened in this opinion by the fact [etc.]. |
2. a. To give physical strength to, make stronger or more robust (a person, his body or members); to increase the functional vigour of (a bodily organ or its powers).
| 1585 T. Washington tr. Nicholay's Voy. ii. xxi. 58 b, [It doth] comfort your sinewes and strengtheneth your members. 1604 Marston Malcontent ii. iv. D 1 b, It purifieth the blood,..strengthneth the vaines, mundifieth the teeth. 1665–6 Boyle Let. 9 Mar., Wks. 1772 I. Life p. lxxxii, Lemons..have..the power to..strengthen the stomach. 1725 N. Robinson Th. Physick 309 Lastly, in strengthning and restoring the digestive Faculty of the Stomach. 1750 tr. Leonardus' Mirr. Stones 134 The opal sharpens and strengthens the sight. 1789 W. Buchan Dom. Med. (1799) 423 Wine..taken in moderation.. strengthens the stomach, and promotes digestion. 1856 Kane Arctic Expl. II. iii. 45 See..how the back has been strengthened to its increasing burden. 1908 [Miss E. Fowler] Betw. Trent & Ancholme 173 The doctor had recommended him beer, to strengthen him. |
b. to strengthen the hand(s of: fig. to enable (a person or body of persons) to act with greater effect. (Orig. a Hebraism.)
| 1535 Coverdale 1 Sam. xxiii. 16 Jonathas wente vnto Dauid..and strengthned his hande in God. 1734 R. Trevor Let. in 10th Rep. Hist. MSS. Comm. App. i. 251 The late Proceedings of Parliament for strengthening the King's hands. 1779 C'tess Carlisle in Jesse Selwyn & Contemp. (1844) IV. 200 The Opposition say they will do anything to strengthen the hands of Government at this juncture. 1827 Hallam Const. Hist. (1876) I. ii. 101 A new scheme of ecclesiastical laws was drawn up,..rather calculated to strengthen the hands of the spiritual courts than to withdraw any matter from their cognisance. 1884 W. E. Norris Thirlby Hall xi, What strengthened my hands and completely took the wind out of his sails was a most opportune letter from my uncle. |
c. To increase the strength of (the mind or its faculties).
| 1828 Lytton Pelham xv, If we strengthen their [sc. children's] minds, instead of weakening them. 1862 Sir B. Brodie Psychol. Inq. II. ii. 41 The faculties of the mind generally..are strengthened by exercise. |
3. To give defensive strength to (a town, etc.), to make strong against attack, to fortify; in mod. use, to increase the strength of (a fortified place, a frontier).
| 1452 Extracts Aberd. Reg. (1844) I. 20 The toune salbe stryngthnit and fortifiit with walles and strynthes in all gudeli haste. c 1595 Capt. Wyatt Dudley's Voy. (Hakl. Soc.) 29 Another sconce..havinge the other side soe strengthned with wood that it was impossible to be assaultid. 1610 Holland Camden's Brit. (1637) 675 A proper Castle, strengthned with high Towres. 1611 Bible 1 Macc. ix. 50 These [cities] did he strengthen with high wals, with gates, & with barres. 1841 W. Spalding Italy & It. Isl. III. 193 Frederic II., wishing to strengthen his frontier towards Rome, planned the city. 1884 Manch. Exam. 4 June 5/1 He is already taking steps, by strengthening Herat, to guard against any inroad upon his territories. |
4. To make stronger in influence, authority, or security of position.
| 1579 Fenton Guicciard. i. 25 They sought..to strengthen first with colers lawful & after to set out their fortune with most ample titles. 1588 Shakes. Tit. A. i. i. 214 (Qo. 1600) My faction if thou strengthen with thy friend[s], I will most thank⁓full be. 1593 ― 3 Hen. VI, iv. i. 37 To haue ioyn'd with France, in such alliance Would more haue strength'ned this our Commonwealth 'Gainst forraine stormes. c 1645 Howell Lett. i. xvii. (1650) I. 28 The Favourit Luines strengthneth himself more and more in his minionship. 1823 Scott Quentin D. xii, The Boar of Ardennes,..strengthened by the possession of that fair lady's lands, castles, and seigniory. 1830 Greville Mem. (1874) II. 45 In the meantime the Duke does nothing here towards strengthening his Government, and he will probably meet Parliament as he is. 1863 Geo. Eliot Romola Introd., He loved to strengthen his family by a good alliance. 1885 Sat. Rev. 3 Jan. 4/1 Proposing measures for the purpose of strengthening the House of Lords. |
5. To reinforce (some material thing) by an additional support, added thickness, or covering.
| 1611 Bible Isa. liv. 2 Lengthen thy cords and strengthen thy stakes [of a tent]. 1687 Miege Gt. Fr. Dict. ii. s.v., To strengthen the Foundation of a House. 1748 Anson's Voy. iii. x. 415 The sails are made of matt, strengthened every three feet by an horizontal rib of bamboo. 1879 Cassell's Techn. Educ. III. 151 Sometimes the bows of iron ships are strengthened by breast-hooks formed of plates and angle-irons. 1882 Caulfeild & Saward Dict. Needlework 305 To strengthen Heels, they are often knitted with double thread. 1888 E. Custer Tenting on Plains xvii. (1893) 358 In order to strengthen the tents against these hurricanes, he had ordered poles at each corner sunk deep into the ground. |
6. To add strength or intensity to, to augment, intensify.
| a 1586 Sidney Arcadia ii. xv. (1912) 246 Ever remembring to strengthen the suspition of his estate with private jelousie of her love. 1597 Hooker Eccl. Pol. v. lxvi. §9 A distinction of grace..planted in them at the first by Baptisme, after cherished, watred, and..strengthned as by other vertuous offices which pietie and true Religion teacheth. 1601 Shakes. Jul. C. ii. i. 248 So I did, Fearing to strengthen that impatience Which seem'd too much inkindled. 1736 Butler Anal. i. v. Wks. 1874 I. 89 Practical habits are formed and strengthened by repeated acts. 1789 Polwhele Eng. Orator iv. 74 The listless Lectures thou hastidly heard Strengthen the false Idea. 1799 Trans. Soc. Arts XVII. 299 Strengthen the shadows, making them..as dark as they are intended to be. 1857 Trollope Barchester T. x, Looking as she did, so beautiful.., with the pure brilliancy of her white dress brought out and strengthened by the colour beneath it, [etc.]. 1900 Jrnl. Sch. Geog. (U.S.) Apr. 133 The demand for a water route was strengthened by danger that the growing commerce of the Genesee country would be diverted [etc.]. 1907 J. A. Hodges Elem. Photogr. (ed. 6) 114 To strengthen the weak image. |
7. To increase the strength or force of (reasons, obligations); to support (a case, an opinion) by additional evidence; to give increased strength or vigour of style to (a composition).
| 1600 E. Blount tr. Conestaggio 15 Strengthning their reasons with many examples. 1651 Hobbes Leviath. iii. xl. 249 Nor was there any Contract, that could adde to, or strengthen the Obligation, by which they..were bound naturally to obey God Almighty. 1712 Spectator No. 548 ¶1, I have however drawn up some additional Arguments to strengthen the Opinion which you have there delivered. 1882 C. Pebody Engl. Journalism xvi. (1882) 124 His revisions, alterations, and suppressions generally strengthened and improved an article. |
8. To make more effective or powerful by reinforcement of numbers or resources.
| 1677 Miege Dict. Eng.-Fr. s.v., He strengthned his Army with a Recruit of six thousand men. 1820 Belzoni Egypt & Nubia ii. 260 My purse was but light..and though it had been a little strengthened by the two statues I lately disposed of.., my whole stock did not amount to two hundred pounds. 1838 Thirlwall Greece xliii. V. 313 The number now added to it was 4000, and 150 cavalry with eighteen galleys to strengthen the fleet. 1862 ‘Cavendish’ Whist (1864) 29 You must do your best to assist or strengthen your partner by leading high or strengthening cards. 1913 Times 14 May 6/2 The directors have deemed it advisable to strengthen the insurance fund by the transfer of {pstlg}100,000 to that fund. |
9. To make (a substance, a solution) stronger in the proportion of its active ingredient. Also with up.
| 1882 Paton in Encycl. Brit. XIV. 382/2 By some the weak and exhausted oozes..from the pits are strengthened up by renewed leaching. |
10. intr. To become strong or stronger; to grow in strength or intensity.
| 1610 Shakes. Temp. v. i. 227 These are not naturall euents, they strengthen From strange, to stranger. 1662 W. Gurnall Chr. in Arm. iii. verse 17. lviii. 532 Thus as the days lengthen, so the cold strengthens. 1680 Otway Orphan i. i. (1691) 7 Oh men for flattery and deceit renown'd!.. As your years increase, that strengthens too, T' undo poor Maids. 1732 Pope Ess. Man ii. 136 The young disease, that must subdue at length, Grows with his growth, and strengthens with his strength. 1792 Jefferson Writ. (1830) IV. 472 A year, even, was a great gain to a nation strengthening as we were. 1825 Scott Talism. xxviii, The sun's rays, now strengthening fast, seemed [etc.]. 1825 ― Betrothed xiv, As this conviction strengthened on Rose's mind. 1883 J. C. Jeaffreson Real Ld. Byron I. 255 Byron's journals show how steadily his tender concern for Miss Milbanke deepened and strengthened. 1906 Belloc Hills & Sea (1913) 169 The wind had strengthened by about half-past eight, so that it was very strong indeed. |
Hence ˈstrengthened ppl. a.
| a 1586 Sidney Ps. xviii. x, Unto my strengthned stepps, thou didst enlardge the way. 1604 Marston Malcontent ii. v. D 4 Lets be once drunke together, and so vnite a most vertuously strengthened friendship. 1763 Churchill Conference 86 Hence to Yon Mountain which outbraves the sky, And dart from pole to pole thy strengthen'd eye. 1859 Geo. Eliot A. Bede xxx, Adam's words..also carried a meaning which sickened her with a strengthened foreboding. |