† ˈstrenger, a. and adv. Obs.
Forms: 1 strengra, (strencra, strængra), 3 strengre, 3–5 strenger, 4–5 -ere, 4 strengor.
[OE. stręngra (neut. -re):—OTeut. *straŋgizon- compar. of *straŋgo- strong a.]
A. adj. Stronger (in various senses: see strong a.).
| c 888 ælfred Boeth. xxiv. §3 We wenað ðæt mon bio þy strencra [Bodl. MS. strængra] þe he bið micel on his lichoman. Ibid. xxxii. §1 Þeah ðu nu wære..strengra þonne leo. a 1225 Ancr. R. 326 Þe wunde þet euer wurseð an hond, & strengre is forte helen. a 1300 Cursor M. 4298 Hert o stele, and bodi o brass, Strenger þen euer sampson was. a 1400 Minor Poems fr. Vernon MS. l. 523 Ofte we seon the strengor falle Thorw him that feblore was. 1426 Lydg. De Guil. Pilgr. 8260, I am nat strengere than dauyd was. |
B. adv. More strongly.
| 1340 Ayenb. 170 Þe ilke þet..is..ine þise viȝtinge: heþ more strenger to done..him-zelue to werie. 1382 Wyclif Exod. xxxix. 19 That the coope and the breest broche streyt myȝten be knyt togidere to the girdil, and with rynges strengere cowplid. |
Hence † ˈstrengerly adv., more strongly.
| a 1390 Prol. Job in Wyclif Bible II. 671 As if thou woldest an eel..holde with streite hondis, how myche strengerli thou thristis, so myche the sunnere it shal sliden awey. |