Obs. Forms: 3–5 streng(e, strengh(e, (4 strenghi), 5 stryngh(e. [OE. *stręngan (cf. ætstręngan to deforce, withhold wrongfully):—prehistoric *strangjan, f. strang STRONG a.
If the word had survived it would normally have become stringe in the south and streng or string in the north.]
trans. To make strong or stronger (in material or immaterial sense); to strengthen, confirm; to fortify, to reinforce.
a. 1175. Cott. Hom., 237. And elc of ham [sc. laws] ȝestrenð & fulfellþ oðre.
c. 1200. Ormin, 2613. For þild birrþ ben wiþþ iwhillc mahht To beoldenn itt & strengenn.
a. 1225. St. Marher., 14. Þis beoð þe wepnen … þat strengeð ham stalewardlukest aȝein me.
a. 1225. Leg. Kath., 717. Þeos meiden … stod, þurh þeos steuene starcliche istrenget.
a. 1300. Cursor M., 18930. Þe fire es god to strengh þe tile.
c. 1315. Shoreham, Poems, I. 701. For bred strengeþ þe herte of man.
a. 1340. Hampole, Psalter, xvii. 20. He reft me out fra my faes stalworthest,… for þai ere strenghid [confortati sunt] abouen. Ibid., lxvii. 31. Strenghi in the and conferme in vs … that thou wroght in vs.
c. 1400. Melayne, 1365. He comes at hande With men of armes a sexty thowsande, To strenghe with ȝone Cite.
c. 1400. trans. Secreta Secret., Gov. Lordsh., 82. Some þing strynghys and fattys þe body, some makys it megre and feble.
c. 1435. Torr. Portugal, 113. Now god, þat Dyed appon a Rode, Strengithe hym bothe bone and blod, The fyld for to haue!
c. 1440. Ps. Penit. (1894), 18. Thei strenghed hem that my sowle sought.
Hence † Strenghing vbl. sb.
a. 1300. Cursor M., 18678. Bot þair mistrouth … Es strenghing of vr trouth to dai.
1535. in Lett. Suppress. Monasteries (Camden), 31. That ye had brought that tale unto him more for the strenghing and confirmation of your opinion then for any other thing els.
a. 1578. Lindesay (Pitscottie), Chron. Scot. (S.T.S.), I. 62. So inordinatlie to promove his freindis to landis and lordschipis ffor the strenghen of his awin house.
