Now rare. Also 5–6 strenuite, 6 -uyte, strenewite, 7 strenuitie. [ad. L. strēnuitās, f. strēnu-us: see STRENUOUS a. and -ITY.] The quality of being strenuous, strenuousness.
1436. Libel Eng. Policy, in Pol. Poems (Rolls), II. 200. Thus nere I leve the kynge wyth his nobelesse, Henry the fifte … for aboute in the see No better was prince of strenuité.
1500–20. Dunbar, Poems, lxxxviii. 19. London, thou art of townes A per se…. Strong Troy in vigour and in strenuytie.
1525. St. Papers Hen. VIII., VI. 413. The valiant acquitaile, vertue, and strenuite of the faithfull and good capitans, in the honorable defence of Italye.
c. 1611. Chapman, Iliad, XV. 649. And thus, vnlike affects Bred like strenuitie in both.
1681. H. More, Exp. Dan. vi. 163. His dominion … not having that strenuity and greatness of parts, nor that strength; his entire Empire being thus divided into four Kingdoms.
1905. ‘J. Oxenham,’ White Fire, iv. 46. His white, set face and blazing eyes looked out at her in that agonised strenuity of appeal which had … stirred her to the depths.
