vbl. sb. [-ING1.]
1. The action of the vb. STRENGTHEN, in various senses; an instance of this.
1535. Coverdale, 1 Macc. vi. 18. They … sought euer styll to do them harme, for the strengthenynge of the Heithen.
c. 1595. Capt. Wyatt, Dudley’s Voy. (Hakl. Soc.), 32. This letter … gave … better respect unto themselves for the strengthninge of our fortification.
1660. Fuller, Mixt Contempl. Better T., II. l. 74. Charles the Second … when a Childe was much troubled with a weaknesse in his Legs, and was appointed to weare Steel-bootes, for the strengthning of them.
1723. Chambers, trans. Le Clerc’s Archit., I. 23. The greater Solidity, and the further strengthning of the Building.
1870. J. F. Smith, Ewald’s Introd. Hebr. Gram., 162. A peculiar strengthening of the two preceding moods is attained by suffixing [etc.].
1882. Caulfeild & Saward, Dict. Needlework, 307. Strengthening … is done by working doubled threads into the heels or toes of stockings.
2. concr. Something that strengthens, a source or means of strength.
1583. Golding, Calvin on Deut. ii. 10. Is not ye knowledg of such doctrine an excellent strengthening to vs, when we see that [etc.]?
c. 1613. Middleton, No Wit like Woman’s, II. iii. 141. Out flies your moneys for restoratives and strengthenings.
1663. Gerbier, Counsel, 44. The peeres of Brick or Stone … will … be of a fit width to be a strengthening to the building.
1773. Hawkesworth, Cook’s 1st Voy., II. x. III. 462. Thwarts … were securely lashed on each side, as a strengthening to the boat.
1879. Cassell’s Techn. Educ., III. 151/1. Such supplementary strengthenings … are, however, not nearly so much required in iron as in wood ships.
