[-ING2.]
1. That strengthens or makes stronger.
1646. P. Bulkeley, Gospel Covt., IV. 317. Faith is a strengthening grace.
1660. F. Brooke, trans. Le Blanc’s Trav., 74. They use themselves to very violent exercises,… feeding on strengthning foods onely.
1786. J. Hunter, Treat. Venereal Dis., VI. iv. (1810), 563. In such cases I would recommend strengthening diet, and strengthening medicines.
1842. Loudon, Suburban Hort., 633. Such a wall … may be made … with stakes to serve as strengthening piers.
1848. J. T. White, Xenophon’s Anab., II. iii. § 18 notes (1872), 111. Observe here the strengthening force of καί. It is often employed in this way, when something stronger is subjoined to what has just preceded, and answers to the English and … too.
b. Card-games. Of a card or course of play: That strengthens one’s hand.
1862. ‘Cavendish,’ Whist (1864), 34. When you have led a strengthening card, and it wins the trick.
1864. W. Pole, Th. Whist (1870), 18. Strengthening play is getting rid of high cards in any suit, the effect of which is to give an improved value to the lower cards of that suit still remaining in, and so to strengthen the hand that holds them.
1900. ‘J. Doe,’ Bridge Man., 73. In leading what you may be pleased to consider a strengthening card, you are opening the very suit which your adversaries are secretly praying that they may be able to establish.
2. That grows or becomes stronger.
1855. Lynch, Rivulet, XLV. i. All the marvels have begun That wait upon the strengthening sun.
1906. M. Sellers, Eastland Co. (Camden), Introd. 76. The manifestation of a slowly strengthening feeling in favour of a policy of less general restriction.
