v. Also 3–4 strenþin, 4–5 strenkþen; pa. t. 5 Sc. stryngthnit. [f. STRENGTH sb.; 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. Shaks., 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 Mem., 5. Strengthen me, enlighten me!
1856. Froude, Hist. Eng., II. viii. 247. A country strengthened in hostility by the means which had 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. John 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 vigor of (a bodily organ or its powers).
1585. T. Washington, trans. 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, Lett., 9 March, 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. trans. 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, Lett., 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. Shaks., Tit. A., I. i. 214 (Qo. 1600). My faction if thou strengthen with thy friend[s], I will most thankfull be. Ibid. (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. Miége, 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. Mrs. 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. Shaks., 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, Engl. Orator, IV. 74. The listless Lectures thou hast idly 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.), April, 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 vigor of style to (a composition).
1600. E. Blount, trans. 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. 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. Miége, 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, 6/3. The directors have deemed it advisable to strengthen the insurance fund by the transfer of £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. Shaks., Temp., V. i. 227. These are not naturall euents, they strengthen From strange, to stranger.
1662. 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. T. 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.]. Ibid. (1825), Betrothed, xiv. As this conviction strengthened on Rose’s mind.
1883. 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 Strengthened 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, Adam Bede, xxx. Adam’s words … also carried a meaning which sickened her with a strengthened foreboding.
