Strong a.

Forms: 1–2 strang, strong, 3–6, 4–9 Sc. and north. strang, 4–5 Sc. and north. strange, 4–6 stronge, (4 stroong, 5 stronkg, stronke, strongge, strangg), 3– strong. See also STRENGER, STRENGEST. [OE. strang, strǫng, corresponding to OS. strang, MDu. stranc, strangh- (cf. OHG. stranô, MHG. strange, strongly, severely), ON. strang-r strong, severe:—OTeut. type *straŋgo-; a parallel type *straŋgjo- is represented by OE. stręnge severe (found only once), MLG., MDu. strenge (mod.Du. streng), OHG. strengi (MHG. strenge, mod.G. streng), severe, strict; also (adopted from German) Sw. sträng, Da. streng. The two types prob. originated as declensional variants from an OTeut. *straŋgu-. For the Teut. root *straŋg- see STRING sb.

  The umlaut form of the comparative and superlative (see STRENGER, STRENGEST) was common down to the 15th c., but the form without umlaut appears already in OE.]

  1.  Of living beings, their body or limbs: Physically powerful; able to exert great muscular force. The stronger sex: the male sex.

  In the 17–19th c. ‘the strong man’ was a frequent designation for one who publicly exhibited feats of strength.

c. 888.  [see STRENGER].

c. 1205.  Lay., 3547. Ich bi-tæche þe anne hængest godna & strongna.

a. 1300.  [see STRENGER].

1377.  Langl., P. Pl., B. XII. 161. Take two stronge men and in themese caste hem.

1471.  Caxton, Recuyell (Sommer), 277. The strengeste man of troye had ynowh to doo to leye hit on his sholder.

1500–20.  Dunbar, Poems, xxxviii. 13. Thinking to grip ws in his clowss strang.

1535.  Coverdale, Ps. cxliii. 14. That oure oxen maye be stronge to laboure.

1577.  B. Googe, trans. Heresbach’s Husb., III. 119 b. It must be sene to, that they [i.e., the horses in a team] be euen matched, least the stronger spoyle the weaker.

1667.  Milton, P. L., IX. 1059. So rose the Danite strong and wak’d Shorn of his strength.

1699.  Flying Post, 14–16 Nov., 2/1. The strong Kentish Man, gave three Proofs of his extraordinary Strength before his Majesty.

1734.  Desaguliers, Course Exper. Phil., I. 259. I have observ’d the pretended Strong Man sometimes to have a short strong Stick [etc.].

1734.  in Fairholt, Eccentric Char. (1849), I. 50. The strong man of Islington. Ibid. (1745), 54. Thomas Topham, Commonly called the Strong Man.

1782.  Cowper, Gilpin, 154. So like an arrow swift he flew, Shot by an archer strong.

1819.  Byron, Juan, II. liii. The bubbling cry Of some strong swimmer in his agony.

1819.  J. Foster, Contrib. Eclectic Rev. (1844), I. 508. It was not … thought too much for persons of the stronger sex, to go and return many miles on foot.

1861.  Hughes, Tom Brown at Oxf., xiv. He is as strong as a horse.

  absol.  c. 1290.  St. Michael, 316, in S. Eng. Leg., 308. For mannes þoumbe strenguest is þare-fore he hatte ‘þe strongue.’

13[?].  K. Alis., 7710 (Laud MS.). And Sampson also þe stronge [Linc. MS. theo fort].

1697.  Dryden, Æneis, X. 1054. Orses the strong to greater Strength must yield.

1817.  Scott, Harold, I. ix. 13. With the deed of the brave, and the blow of the strong.

  b.  fig.

1606.  B. Barnes, Offices, I. 2. It [sc. riches] is the bone of that strong arme, by which the kingdome is in time of peace strengthened against all hostile attempts.

1822.  Galt, Provost, xxiv. The five poor barks, that were warsling against the strong arm of the elements.

1873.  B. Harte, Fiddletown, 27. His abuse was confined to the police and limited by the strong arm of the law.

1911.  Marett, Anthropol., vii. 181. To one who lives under civilized conditions the phrase ‘the strong arm of the law’ inevitably suggests the policeman.

  † c.  Astrol. (See quot.) Obs. (Cf. 5 f.)

1819.  J. Wilson, Dict. Astrol., Strong signs, [char.], [char.], and [char.], because they are said to give strong athletic bodies.

  d.  Of an action: Performed with muscular strength.

1398.  Trevisa, Barth. De P. R., V. liv. (1495), 171. The fote [of a lion, etc.] is longe plane and holowe … and dystynguyth with toes for his stronge holdynge.

1471.  Caxton, Recuyell (Sommer), 76. His strokes myght not be susteyned of men, they were so strong and puyssant.

1590.  Spenser, F. Q., I. xi. 18. [He] with strong flight did forcibly diuide The yielding aire.

1590.  Shaks., Com. Err., V. i. 148. Anon I wot not, by what strong escape He broke from those that had the guard of him.

1697.  Dryden, Æneis, IX. 1040. He joints the Neck: and with a stroke so strong The Helm flies off.

1816.  Byron, Pris. Chillon, viii. 47. I burst my chain with one strong bound.

  e.  Of a runner, swimmer, oarsman, etc.: Having great staying power. Hence, of his ‘going’ or pace: Maintained with vigor; that does not flag.

1854.  Poultry Chron., II. 183. They are light on the wing, but not strong flyers.

1868.  Field, 4 July, 13/1. Atter made the running at a strong pace.

1879.  H. C. Powell, Amateur Athletic Ann., 13. A very strong runner.

1883.  Sat. Rev., 24 Nov., 665/2. Too Good [a racehorse] took up the running and made it very strong to the Canal.

1886.  Ruskin, Præterita, I. xi. 379. He ran no risk but of a sound ducking, being, of course, a strong swimmer.

  fig.  1863.  Kinglake, Crimea (ed. 3), I. iii. 38. Imagination, transcendent and strong of flight.

  2.  Physically vigorous or robust; capable of physical endurance or effort; not readily affected by disease; hale, healthy. Now often (predicatively) of one who has regained his normal health and vigor after illness.

  † In legal enactments, said of a beggar: Able-bodied, fit for work, ‘stout,’ ‘sturdy.’

a. 1225.  Ancr. R., 6. Vor þi mot þeos riwle chaungen hire misliche efter euch ones manere, & efter hire efne. Vor sum is strong, sum is unstrong.

1340.  Ayenb., 32. Þou art yong and strang þou sselt libbe long.

c. 1400.  Rule St. Benet, xxvii. 22. Þa þat ere strang and hale.

1422.  Yonge, trans. Secreta Secret., 239. Men wyche haue the complexcion hote and stronge.

1530–1.  Act 22 Hen. VIII., c. 12 § 9. Whypped for a vagarant stronge begger.

1571.  in Hudson & Tingey, Rec. Norwich (1910), II. 344. Thexpulcinge of stronge beggers.

1588.  Kyd, Househ. Philos., Wks. (1901), 239. A youth of eighteene or twenty yeeres of age,… tough sinewed, and of a strong constitution.

1656.  Earl Monm., trans. Boccalini’s Advts. fr. Parnass., I. lxxvii. (1674), 104. He was a man full of years, but of so fresh and strong a complexion, as he seemed likely to live yet many Ages.

1785.  Cowper, Task, II. 705. His head … Bespoke him past the bounds of freakish youth, But strong for service still, and unimpair’d.

1785.  in Jrnl. Friends Hist. Soc. (1918), 75. I find myself growing stronger. My cough is better.

1806.  Med. Jrnl., XV. 26. A gentleman … who had always enjoyed good health, being of a strong and robust constitution.

1840.  Marryat, Poor Jack, xxi. Old Nanny … was now quite strong again.

1888.  ‘R. Boldrewood,’ Robbery under Arms, xxiii. Starlight was none too strong…. He wanted good keep and rest for a month.

  transf.  1580.  Tusser, Husb. (1878), 49. It signifieth land to be hartie and strong.

  b.  of the vital organs and their functions, the nerves, brain, † ‘spirits,’ etc.

1398.  [see DIGESTION 2].

1672.  Temple, Ess., Govt., Wks. 1731, I. 97. In more temperate Regions the Spirits are stronger, and more active, whereby Men become bolder in the Defence or Recovery of their Liberties.

1833.  Cycl. Pract. Med., I. 578/2. Persons, even with strong stomachs, are frequently under the necessity of taking some stimulant to assist its digestion.

1863.  Miss Braddon, John Marchmont, vi. That perpetual restlessness and disquietude which is cruelly wearying even to the strongest nerves. Ibid., viii. Mary Marchmont’s story of a marriage arose out of the weakness of a brain, never too strong, and at that time very much enfeebled by the effect of a fever.

1905.  E. Clodd, Animism, § 9. 47. Even the strongest of nerve among us are not entirely free from this [etc.].

  c.  of a plant or its parts.

c. 1420.  Pallad. on Husb., I. 88. The treen … Not crokid, lene, or seek, but hool & stronge.

1719.  London & Wise, Compl. Gard., viii. 118. In speaking of a strong Tree, is meant a vigorous Tree.

1765.  Museum Rust., IV. 354. He has the same hundred and twenty acres in wheat as heretofore, and strong and hopeful.

1780.  Cowper, Progr. Err., 359. Plants rais’d with tenderness are seldom strong.

1822.  Shelley, Zucca, ix. And light revived the plant, and from it grew Strong leaves and tendrils.

  d.  A strong head: capacity for taking much drink without becoming intoxicated.

[1814.  Scott, Wav., xii. The Baron proceeded: ‘No, sir, though I am myself of a strong temperament, I abhor ebriety.’]

1822.  Lamb, Elia, Ser. II. Confess. Drunkard. O pause, thou sturdy moralist, thou person of stout nerves and a strong head, whose liver is happily untouched.

  3.  Having great moral power for endurance or effort; firm in will or purpose; able to resist temptation; possessed of courage or fortitude; brave, resolute, steadfast.

c. 897.  K. Ælfred, Gregory’s Past. C., lxv. 465. Ic wende ðæt ic wære swiðe strong on maneʓum cræftum.

c. 1200.  Trin. Coll. Hom., 185. Estote fortes in bello, et cetera. Beoð stronge on fihte and fihteð wið þe ealde neddre and ȝef ȝie ben strengere, ȝie shulle fon to mede þat endeles kineriche.

  c. 1200.  Ormin, 13326. Symon … All harrd, & strang, & stedefasst,… To stanndenn ȝæn þe laþe gast.

c. 1315.  Shoreham, Poems, I. 358. He þat ine saule is strang Þat he wiþ-stent hi alle.

c. 1400.  Rule St. Benet, lxiv. 43. Sisters þat er strang and of gude lyuyng.

1422.  Yonge, trans. Secreta Secret., 226. Tho men wyche haue ouer lytill kneis they bene stronge of corage.

1526.  Pilgr. Perf. (W. de W., 1531), 15. Lyke as god conforted the chyldren of Israel, and bad them to be stronge and not to drede.

1592.  Shaks., Rom. & Jul., IV. i. 122. Be strong and prosperous In this resolue.

1783.  Cowper, Valed., 61. [He] Should be … Prepar’d for martyrdom, and strong to prove A thousand ways the force of genuine love.

1815.  Shelley, Alastor, 181. His strong heart sunk and sickened with excess Of love.

1833.  Wordsw., Warning, 160. Be strong in faith, bid anxious thoughts lie still.

1861.  Hughes, Tom Brown at Oxf., xiii. His face was quiet, but full of confidence…. Tom felt calmer and stronger as he met his eye.

1861.  F. W. Robinson, No Church, III. ix. II. 282. A heart strong to love.

1864.  Tennyson, En. Arden, 921. So past the strong heroic soul away.

  b.  Of actions or attributes.

c. 1200.  Ormin, 7896. Forr cnapechild bitacneþþ uss Strang mahht i gode dedess.

c. 1450.  St. Cuthbert (Surtees), 3678. Fewe wordes he spak, bot strange þai ware.

1490.  Caxton, Eneydos, i. 12. A grete multytude of noble companye, full of yougthe & of stronge corage.

1599.  Shaks., Hen. V., V. ii. 25. I haue labour’d With all my wits, my paines, and strong endeuors, To bring [etc.]. Ibid. (1613), Hen. VIII., II. i. 145. This Secret is so weighty, ’twill require A strong faith to conceale it.

1671.  Milton, P. R., I. 159. E’re I send him forth To conquer Sin and Death … By Humiliation and strong Sufferance.

1819.  Shelley, Mask, xlvi. ’Tis to be a slave in soul And to hold no strong control Over your own wills.

1905.  ‘G. Thorne,’ Lost Cause, ix. The magistrates of London are quite ready to take a strong stand.

  c.  Of looks, voice, etc.: Indicative of strength of character.

1815.  Southey, Roderick, xxi. 123. For he was troubled while he gazed On the strong countenance and thoughtful eye Before him.

1885.  ‘Mrs. Alexander,’ Valerie’s Fate, ii. Attracted by something kindly and strong in the tone of his voice.

1891.  C. T. C. James, Rom. Rigmarole, vii. The lady with the strong face, and the piercing grey eyes.

  d.  Of a statesman, judge, commander: That makes his authority felt; powerful by force of will and capacity.

1880.  Nation, XXX. 1 Jan., 1/2 (Cent.). He wants to show the party that he too can be a ‘Strong Man’ on a pinch.

1889.  F. Cowper, Capt. of Wight, vi. As his appointment vested in his person the supreme civil as well as military command, his influence and authority were wide reaching—in other words, he was a ‘strong’ Captain.

1892.  Daily News, 10 May, 3/3. He was emphatically what is called a strong Judge, and the mental force which he wielded impressed those who saw and heard him at his work.

  4.  Of the mind or mental faculties: Powerful. Of the memory: Tenacious, retentive.

1399.  Gower, Conf., II. 33. Althogh mi wit ne be noght strong, It is noght on mi will along, For that is besi nyht and day To lerne al that he lerne may.

1398.  Trevisa, Earth. De P. R., V. iii. (1495), 107. Yf a man be a grete waker and stronge of minde [L. memoria tenax], it sygnefyeth dryenesse of the brayne.

c. 1440.  Alphabet of Tales, 293. And þan þis hermett with a strong wytt removid his cell v myle ferrer fro þe watir.

1664.  Power, Exp. Philos., I. 80. A Person he was of those strong Parts and Hopes.

1731–8.  Swift, Pol. Conversat., Introd. 16. A strong Memory and constant Application … will be highly necessary.

1749.  Chesterf., Lett. to Son, 10 Jan. A strong mind sees things in their true proportions: a weak one views them through a magnifying medium.

1781.  Cowper, Retirement, 698. Strong judgment lab’ring in the scripture mine. Ibid. (1784), Tiroc., 137. Whose hum’rous vein, strong sense, and simple style, May teach the gayest, make the gravest smile.

1849.  Macaulay, Hist. Eng., iv. I. 507. His writings and his life furnish abundant proofs that he was not a man of strong sense. Ibid., vii. II. 170. Where he loved, he loved with the whole energy of his strong mind.

  b.  Of occupations: Requiring exertion of mental power. ? Obs.

1759.  Johnson, Rasselas, xxxix. ‘The diversions of the women,’ answered Pekuah, ‘were only childish play, by which the mind accustomed to stronger operations could not be kept busy.’

1817.  G. Ticknor, Life, Lett. & Jrnls., I. vii. 152. With all these strong occupations [business cares and scientific studies, etc.], and tastes, and high qualities, he is the chief magistrate of the canton.

  5.  Having great controlling power over persons and things, by reason of the possession of authority, resources, or inherent qualities; able to enforce one’s will.

Beowulf, 1844 (Gr.). Þu eart mæʓenes strang and on mode frod, wis wordcwida.

a. 1175.  Cott. Hom., 231. Hit ȝelamp þat an rice king wes strang and mihti.

a. 1225.  St. Marher., 12. Þa þu strong were he wes muchele strengre me to witene wið þis.

c. 1250.  Gen. & Ex., 1846. Ðe strong god of ysrael.

a. 1300.  Cursor M., 14404. God … liuerd þaim fra pharaon, Fra pharaon þat was sa strang þat þam in seruage held lang.

1590.  Spenser, F. Q., II. x. 65. In the Realme ere long they [Hengist and Horsus] stronger arre, Then they which sought at first their helping hand.

1599[?].  A. Hume, Poems, Ep. Mont-creif, 204. The pure quhome strang oppressors dois oppres.

1603.  Shaks., Meas. for M., III. ii. 198. What King so strong Can tie the gall vp in the slanderous tong?

1714.  G. Lockhart, Mem. Scot. (ed. 3), 179. The Revolution Party only employ’d him … out of Fear; and as soon as they found themselves strong enough without him, they kicked him out of Doors.

1841.  F. E. Paget, Tales of Village (1852), 172. The Church of England, strong in the aid of antiquity, tradition, and apostolicity.

1850.  Tennyson, In Mem., Prol. 1. Strong Son of God.

1858.  Sat. Rev., 2 Jan., 6/2. Lord Palmerston boasts of having a strong Government, and he is determined to test and to parade its strength.

1860.  [see SAVE v. 1 e].

  b.  absol. (and as postfixed epithet, the strong).

c. 825.  Vesp. Psalter liii. 5 [liv. 3]. & ða strongan [L. fortes] sohtun sawle mine.

c. 1205.  Lay., 20872. Swa wes Childriche þan strongen & þan riche.

a. 1400–50.  Wars Alex., 2381. And for Strasagirs þe strang he of his strenth priued.

1594.  Shaks., Rich. III., V. iii. 311. For Conscience is a word that Cowards vse, Deuis’d at first to keepe the strong in awe.

1598.  Sylvester, Du Bartas, II. ii. II. Babylon, 581. Th’ ever-blessed soules Of Christ his champions … Shall dance to th’ honour of the Strong of strongs.

1697.  Dryden, Æneis, III. 77. Who, when he saw the Pow’r of Troy decline, Forsook the weaker, with the strong to join.

1817.  Shelley, Rev. Islam, Ded. iv. I grow weary to behold The selfish and the strong stili tyrannise.

1820.  Scott, Monast., iv. It was a reign of minority, when the strongest had the best right.

1847.  Emerson, Poems, Initial, etc. Love, III. 51. By right or wrong, Lands and goods go to the strong.

  † c.  Strong of friends or friendship: possessed of powerful friends. Obs.

c. 1386.  Chaucer, Doctor’s T., 135. Hym thought he was nat able for to speede ffor she was strong of freendes.

1444.  Rolls of Parlt., V. 112. Suytz, triables in forein Shires, where thei be stronge of frendship.

  d.  Of things, sometimes personified.

a. 1225.  Ancr. R., 280. Þauh heo [humility] makie hire so lutel, & so meoke, & so smel, heo is þauh þinge strengest.

c. 138[?].  Wyclif, Sel. Wks., III. 341. As o virtu is strengere if it be gedrid, þan if it be scatrid, so o malis is strenger whanne it is gederid in o persone. Ibid. (1382), Song Sol. viii. 6. For strong is as deth looue.

1390.  Gower, Conf., III. 146. The Kinges question was this; Of thinges thre which strengest is, The wyn, the womman or the king.

1423.  James I., Kingis Q., 149. Fortune is most and strangest euermore Quhare lest foreknawing or intelligence Is in the man.

1606.  Shaks., Ant. & Cl., I. iii. 42. The strong necessity of Time, commands Our Seruices a-while.

a. 1656.  Hales, Gold. Rem., III. (1673), 18. Now humane Authority at the strongest is but weak, but the multitude is the weakest part of humane Authority.

1706.  Prior, Ode to Queen, ix. Misguided Prince!… Confess the Force of Marlbrô’s stronger Star.

1789.  Burns, To Dr. Blacklock, 29. Ye ken, ye ken, That strang necessity supreme is.

1793.  Cowper, Beau’s Reply, 7. ’Twas nature, Sir, whose strong behest Impell’d me to the deed.

1865.  H. Kingsley, Hillyars & Burtons, xlix. The old Adam was too strong for.

  e.  Having great financial resources, rich. In Anglo-Irish, spec. of a farmer.

1622.  Bacon, Hen. VII., 161. The Merchant-Aduenturers likewise, (beeing a strong Companie at that time, and well vnderset with rich Men, and good order,) did hold out brauely.

a. 1700.  B. E., Dict. Cant. Crew, Squirish, foolish; also one that pretends to Pay all Reckonings, and is not strong enough in the Pocket.

1726.  Swift, Gulliver, II. vi. 113. He then desired to know … Whether, a Stranger with a strong Purse might not influence the vulgar Voters.

1820.  Belzoni, Egypt & Nubia, II. 260. I should have … prepared the way for others stronger than myself in purse.

1845.  Mrs. S. C. Hall, Whiteboy, viii. 64. He and his wife … have borne it [straw]—perhaps as a free gift from a ‘strong farmer’—on their shoulders.

1873.  O’Curry, Mann. Anc. Irish, II. 35. The Bruighfer.… Being what would now be called in Munster a ‘strong farmer,’ he was to set an example to his neighbours.

1885.  Times, 3 Sept., 7/4. There must be a good deal of the article [sc. iron] in the hands of ‘strong people’—that is, people who can wait … for a rise.

1888.  Pall Mall Gaz., 24 Oct., 6/1. The merchants make their purchases in London, with the exception of some very strong firms, which import stones direct from the Cape.

  † f.  Astrol. (See quot.) Cf. 1 c. Obs.

1819.  J. Wilson, Dict. Astrol., 380. Planets are generally supposed to be strong when dignified either by house, exaltation, term, triplicity, or face, or by any accidental dignity.

  6.  Eminently able or qualified to succeed in something; well skilled or versed in some particular branch of knowledge or practice.

c. 1000.  Ælfric, Saints’ Lives, v. 6. He wæs … strang foreþingere.

c. 1330.  King of Tars, 657. Thou hast assayed goddes thyn, Wolte that ich asaye myn, Whether be better leche? And leove sire, trouwe on this, And leef on hym that strengor is.

c. 1450.  Merlin, iv. 60. And Merlyn, that full of stronge arte was,… shewed hym the voyde place.

1610.  Shaks., Temp., V. i. 269. His Mother was a Witch, and one so strong That could controle the Moone; make flowes, and ebs [etc.].

a. 1628.  Preston, Breastpl. Love (1631), 188. Let that appeare by shewing thy selfe strong in thy actions.

1693.  Dryden, Orig. & Progr. Satire, in Juvenal (1697), Ded. p. iii. Yet I was stronger in Prophecy than I was in Criticism.

1694.  Penn, Rise & Progr. Quakers, i. 24. They were very Diligent, Plain and Serious; strong in Scripture, and bold in Profession.

1817.  Shelley, Rev. Islam, XI. xxiv. Genius is made strong to rear The monuments of man beneath the dome Of a new Heaven.

1833.  Q. Rev., XLIX. 399. Conolly [a jockey] … has a bad Irish seat, but he is very strong upon his horse, and his hand and head are good.

1852.  Thackeray, Esmond, III. xi. I am not very strong in spelling.

1857.  Buckle, Lett., in A. H. Huth, Life, I. 138. The minor works of Fichte, which I could lend you if you find yourself strong enough in German to master them.

1885.  Manch. Exam., 26 Aug., 3/2. We think Mr. Gough is much stronger as a raconteur than as a logician.

1889.  W. H. Pollock, etc., Fencing (Badm. Lib.), 105. A short man … should be strong in the party and riposte.

1905.  Athenæum, 30 Sept., 417/3. Advt., Wanted, Assistant Master [in a School of Art], strong in Design.

  b.  One’s strong point: that in which one excels, one’s forte.

1875.  Max Müller, in Contemp. Rev., XXVII. 72. I sent my two eldest girls to be examined last year, chiefly in order to find out their weak and their strong points.

1889.  ‘F. Anstey,’ Pariah, I. I. ix. 163. Description was not Lettice’s strong point.

  c.  In athletic contests, of a side, crew, etc.: Possessed of ‘talent’; formidable as an opponent or competitor.

1860.  Baily’s Mag., Sept., 428. Mr. Dark had taken down a strong team [of cricketers].

1861.  Hughes, Tom Brown at Oxf., xii. [Bumping races.] Brazen-nose isn’t so strong as usual. We sha’n’t have much trouble there.

1862.  Baily’s Mag., Oct., 199. We—England—are very strong, and, if we have the luck to go in first, shall, on that wicket, take a deal of getting out.

  † d.  To make oneself strong [= Fr. se faire fort]: to undertake; to affirm. Obs.

c. 1477.  Caxton, Jason, 42. Put yow in my handes and cure, and I make me strong for to hele and make yow hole. Ibid., 120 b. I wil make me strong so to do if it be youre plaisir.

c. 1500.  Melusine, xxxvii. 296. And also other sayen, & make them strong that she is a spyryte of the fayry.

  7.  Powerful in arms; formidable as a fighting force (or as a commander) by reason of numbers, armament, position, etc.

a. 1122.  O. E. Chron. (Laud MS.), an. 975. Næs se flota swa rang ne se here swa strang.

c. 1205.  Lay., 14463. Heo uareð in þine londe mid hære swiðe stronge.

1297.  R. Glouc. (Rolls), 354. Þo was þe compaynie strong & strengore þan it was er.

a. 1300.  Cursor M., 15438. Þai armed þam þan al priueli, for to ma þam strang.

c. 1470.  Henry, Wallace, V. 23. A hundreth men chargit, in armes strang.

1535.  Stewart, Cron. Scot., I. 627. So strang power, sen weiris first began, Wes neuir sene ȝit with na levand man.

1590.  Spenser, F. Q., II. x. 31. An army strong she leau’d, To war on those, which him had of his realme bereau’d.

1601.  in Moryson, Itin., II. (1617), 126. Wee resolved to leave the Northerne Garrisons very strong in foote and horse.

1606.  Shaks., Ant. & Cl., I. iv. 36. Pompey is strong at Sea.

1638.  Hamilton Papers (Camden), 45. Your Ma^tti should prouyd for itt by furnising of Beruick and Cayrlyll uith good and strong garnisones.

1761.  Hume, Hist. Eng. to Hen. VII. (1762), I. ii. 49. Receiving in the spring a strong reinforcement of their countrymen.

a. 1774.  Goldsm., Pref. & Introd. 7 Yrs. War, Misc. Wks. (1837), I. 520. They will find England strong at sea.

  b.  Of an individual: Powerful or formidable as a combatant. Also fig.

a. 1450.  Le Morte Arth., 1860. Was non so stronge that hym with-stode.

1553.  Paynell, trans. Dares Phryg. Destr. Troy, E j. Agamemnon consideryng that his moste strongest and moste valiaunt men were slayne, retired.

1563.  Winȝet, 83 Quest., To Rdr. Wks. (S.T.S.), I. 62. [God] sall steir wp in his contrare strangar kempis … than I am.

1864.  Tennyson, Aylmer’s F., 365. Where two fight The strongest wins.

  c.  Of a warlike operation: Performed or prosecuted with a powerful fighting force.

1560.  Daus, trans. Sleidane’s Comm., 37. Who lamentably complaining of the Turkes great crueltie, desyred stronge and continual aide.

1568.  Grafton, Chron., II. 88. The French king made strong warre in Normandy.

1590.  Spenser, F. Q., III. iii. 52. King Vther now doth make Strong warre vpon the Paynim brethren.

1593.  Shaks., 2 Hen. VI., III. iii. 22. Oh beate away the busie medling Fiend, That layes strong siege vnto this wretches soule.

1817.  Jas. Mill, Brit. India, II. V. iv. 440. The enemy made a strong sally.

1870.  Pall Mall Gaz., 23 Sept., 8/1. The enemy opened strong fire on us.

  d.  With prefixed numerical determination: Powerful to the extent of (a specified number of men, ships, etc.). Hence gen. of a body or assembly of persons: Having the specified number.

1589.  Greene, Menaphon (Arb.), 83. He despatched letters to the Nobilitie … with strait charge that they should bee in that place within three dayes with tenne thousand strong.

1592.  Soliman & Pers., III. i. 48. Their fleete is weake; Their horse, I deeme them fiftie thousand strong.

1629.  Descr. S’hertogenbosh, 34. The Enemies came … 150 ships strong.

1702.  Lond. Gaz., No. 3831/2. The Body of French Forces…, being about 8000 strong.

1836.  W. Irving, Astoria, I. 253. A war party, three hundred strong, were prowling in the neighbourhood.

1847.  Grote, Greece, II. xxxv. IV. 402. The entire Phenician fleet, no less than 600 ships strong, co-operated on the coast.

1855.  Macaulay, Hist. Eng., xvi. III. 638. The garrison, thirteen hundred strong, marched out unarmed.

1860.  Dickens, Uncomm. Trav., ix. As a congregation, we are fourteen strong.

1879.  B. Taylor, Stud. Germ. Lit., 104. The Burgundians … settled, eighty thousand men strong, between Geneva and Lyons.

  ¶ transf. in jocular nonce-uses.

1601.  Shaks., Twel. N., III. ii. 59. I haue beene deere to him lad, some two thousand strong, or so.

1719.  D’Urfey, Pills, I. 356. A Wife that’s fair and Young,… and Forty Thousand strong.

  e.  Of a body of persons or things, a sect or party: Numerous. Also more explicitly strong in numbers.

1617–8.  J. Chamberlain, in Crt. & Times Jas. I. (1848), II. 62. Our East Indian fleet is setting out,… They go stronger and more than ever heretofore.

1656.  S. Holland, Zara (1719), 71. But behold Shakespear and Fletcher (bringing with them a strong party) appeared.

1816.  Scott, Old Mort., xxxvii. The Cameronians continued a sect strong in numbers and vehement in their political opinions.

1848.  Thackeray, Van. Fair, lxvii. A very strong party of excellent people consider her to be a most injured woman.

1854.  Surtees, Handley Cr., iv. (1901), I. 28. The kennel was pretty strong in numbers.

1855.  Poultry Chron., III. 302. Keep the stocks strong in numbers.

  f.  Abundantly supplied with persons or things of a specified kind. Const. in.

1621.  in Foster, Eng. Factories Ind. (1906), 337. Beinge thus strong in cash … wee have concluded the present dispeede.

1711–2.  Swift, Jrnl. to Stella, 16 Feb. The House of Lords is too strong in Whigs, notwithstanding the new creations.

1721.  De Foe, Mem. Cavalier (1840), 108. The king was strong in horse.

1874.  H. H. Cole, Catal. Ind. Art S. Kens. Mus., App. 320. The India [Office] Museum … is specially strong in arms and textile fabrics.

1885.  Truth, 28 May, 848/2. Landscapes … in which this year’s Academy is unusually strong.

1886.  Manch. Exam., 3 Nov., 3/1. The Quarterly for October is exceptionally strong in literary interest.

  8.  Of a fortress, town, country, or military position: Powerful for resistance; difficult to capture or invade; having powerful artificial or natural defences. Cf. STRONGHOLD.

c. 1000.  Ags. Ps. (Th.), lx. 2 [lxi. 3]. Þu … wære me stranga tor, stið wið feondum.

c. 1205.  Lay., 6392. Þer he gon bulde castel swiðe strongne.

c. 1400.  Maundev. (1839), xxv. 259. The King of Abcaz hathe the more strong Contree: and he alle weyes vigerously defendethe his Contree.

c. 1440.  Promp. Parv., 188/1. Garsone, stronge place, municipium.

c. 1450.  Merlin, xxii. 380. But litill the founde in the contrey to take to, ffor all was turned from theire power into stronke fortresses.

1523.  Wolsey, in St. Papers Hen. VIII., VI. 202. Bray was not, ne coude be, made in shorte space strong or tenyble.

1592.  Stow, Ann. (an. 1399), 508. Beawmareis was a strong Fortresse if it had byn manned and victualled. Ibid. There is a Castell … builded on a rocke, very strong by situation. Ibid., 509. The king was in Wales, which was a Countrey strong by reason of the Mountaines.

1667.  Milton, P. L., XI. 655. Others to a Citie strong Lay Siege.

1673.  Temple, Observ. United Prov., i. 44. This Countrey was strong by its nature and seat among the Waters that encompass and divide it.

1675–7.  Warwick, Mem. Chas. I. (1701), 233. Prince Rupert … found a strong house on the road … well mann’d, which gave him some short stop, before he clear’d it.

1711.  Swift, Cond. Allies, 72. France was to deliver up several of their strongest Towns in a Month.

1794.  Mrs. Radcliffe, Myst. Udolpho, xli. The situation of Udolpho rendered it too strong to be taken by open force.

1831.  Scott, Ct. Robt., xxiv. [They] were gradually assembled, and placed in occupation of the strongest parts of the city.

1837.  Carlyle, Fr. Rev., III. I. i. Longwi, our first strong-place on the borders, is fallen.

1843.  Ld. Brougham, Pol. Phil., II. vii. 65 (Ogilvie). The hilly or strong country extended in those parts to no great distance from the towns.

1892.  Lady F. Verney, Verney Mem., I. 113. The king’s position on the high ground was extremely strong.

  in fig. context.  1638.  Chillingworth, Relig. Prot., I. Concl. 411. Which by so weak a Champion can overcome such an Achilles for error even in his strongest holds.

1823.  Scott, Quentin D., Introd. A subject which was strong ground to the Marquis.

  b.  Of a place of confinement, receptacle for valuables and the like: Difficult to escape from or break into. See also STRONG-BOX, STRONG ROOM.

c. 1250.  Owl & Night., 1082. He hire bilek in one bure þat hire was stronge & sure.

c. 1290.  Beket, 431, in S. Eng. Leg., 119. And he him sente word a-ȝen þat he scholde … sethþe don him in strongue warde.

1436.  Rolls of Parlt., IV. 498/1. Putte hir in a stronge chaumbre.

1508.  Dunbar, Flyting, 151. Ane thowsand kiddis, wer thay in faldis full strang.

1667.  Milton, P. L., II. 434. Our prison strong.

1819.  Shelley, Cenci, I. i. 115. I rarely kill the body, which preserves, Like a strong prison, the soul within my power.

1837.  Dickens, Pickw., xxxiii. They could hear the shouts of the populace, who were witnessing the removal of the reverend Mr. Stiggins to strong lodgings for the night.

  9.  Of material things: Capable of supporting strain or withstanding force, whether by cohesion of substance or by thickness; not easily broken, torn, injured, or forced out of shape; solidly made, massive, stout.

c. 1000.  Ags. Ps. (Th.), cxl. 8 [cxli. 6]. Æt strangum stane [Vulg. juxta petram].

c. 1205.  Lay., 1567. [He] igrap of onnes monnes honde ana wiæx swiðe stronge. Ibid., 12424. Heo bi-gunnen feorlic ane swiðe deope dich & … ænne strongne stanene wal.

c. 1250.  Owl & Night., 269. Ich habbe bile stif & strong & gode cleures scharp & longe.

c. 1300.  [see STRENGER]

c. 1375.  Sc. Leg. Saints, xii. (Matthias), 278. [He] went furtht & hyme-self can hynge with a cord bath styth & strange.

c. 1400.  Rom. Rose, 1726. He streight up to his ere drough The stronge bowe.

1562.  Winȝet, Last Blast, Wks. (S.T.S.), I. 37. Strang chenis of irne.

1590.  Cobler Canterb., 3. His lims well set withall, Of a strong bone.

1588.  Kyd, Househ. Philos., Wks. (1901), 240. Swifter then which [river] neuer ranne arrowe fro forth the strongest bow of Parthia.

1590.  Sir J. Smythe, Disc. Conc. Weapons, 3 b. Strong short arming Swords.

c. 1600.  Shaks., Sonn., lxv. When rocks impregnable are not so stoute, Nor gates of steele so strong but time decayes? Ibid. (1613), Hen. VIII., V. iv. 8. Fetch me a dozen Crab-tree staues, and strong ones.

1697.  Dryden, Æneis, II. 659. Himself … with his Axe repeated Stroaks bestows On the strong Doors.

1707.  Mortimer, Husb., 46. They use large round rowls which are stuck with strong Oaken pins.

1728.  Pope, Dunc., I. 150. There Caxton slept, with Wynkyn at his side, One clasp’d in wood, and one in strong cow-hide.

1765.  Museum Rust., IV. 330. It hath been said that an elliptic is not equally strong as a semicircular arch.

1829.  T. Castle, Introd. Bot., 184. Plants … whose fruit is covered with a strong rind or hard woody shell.

1834.  H. M’Murtrie, Cuvier’s Anim. Kingd., 57. Their hands are widened, armed with strong nails fitted to excavate the earth.

1861.  Pattison, Ess. (1889), I. 44. Strong outer walls for defence were discarded.

1892.  Photogr. Ann., II. 497. Sheets of strong blotting paper.

  absol.  1390.  Gower, Conf., I. 24. The fieble meynd was with the stronge, So myhte it wel noght stonde longe.

  b.  fig. and in fig. context.

c. 1400.  Rule St. Benet, Prol. 1. Þe ryght strang & doghty armur of obedience.

1605.  Shaks., Lear, IV. vi. 170. Plate sinne [conj. Theobald; Fo. Place sinnes; Qo. omits] with Gold, and the strong Lance of Iustice, hurtlesse breakes.

1712.  Pope, Ep. Miss Blount, 67. This binds in ties more easy, yet more strong, The willing heart.

1818.  Shelley, Julian, 181. How strong the chains are which our spirit bind.

1821.  Scott, Kenilw., xxvii. Doubting … whether Amy’s hopes … rested on any thing stronger than a blinded attachment to Varney.

  c.  Of soil: Firm, tenacious, compact. Also, see quot. 1856.

c. 1000.  Sax. Leechd., I. 134. Ðeos wyrt … bið cenned on fæstum landum & on strangum.

1591.  G. Clayton, Mart. Discipl., 45. Aduertising … that the Pikemen … doe holde the great ende of their pikes fastned harde in stronge earth, to the ende the Pike may haue the greater force.

1721.  Mortimer, Husb. (ed. 5), I. 87. Peat-Marle or Delving-Marle, which is close, strong, and very fat.

1764.  Museum Rust., IV. 31. Seemingly-opposite soils, viz. one set, shallow, light, gravelly; and the other, deep, strong, and rich.

1837.  Youatt, Sheep, xv. 498. Many a grazier has sustained considerable loss from having lambed his ewes thinly on strong land.

1842.  Loudon, Suburban Hort., 54. Where a strong clayey soil is covered with a healthy vegetation.

1849.  Macaulay, Hist. Eng., iii. I. 314. The wheat, which was then cultivated only on the strongest clay.

1856.  Morton, Cycl. Agric., II. 726/1. Strong land, in Devons., is not clayey, but rich.

  d.  Of food: Solid, hard of digestion.

1526.  Tindale, Heb. v. 12. Ye … are become soche as have nede off mylke, and not of stronge meate [Gr. στερεᾶς τρεφῆς].

1711.  Swift, Jrnl. to Stella, 21 April. I ate but little to-day, and of the gentlest meat. I refused ham and pigeons,… because they were too strong.

1836.  A. Combe, Physiol. Digestion (ed. 2), 276. Instead … of oppressing a weakened stomach by administering stronger food than it has the power of digesting.

  e.  Of molding-sand: See quot. 1888.

1843.  Holtzapffel, Turning, I. 332. A small portion of the strong facing-sand is rubbed through a fine sieve.

1888.  Lockwood’s Dict. Mech. Engin., Strong Sand, tenacious foundry sand, containing a large proportion of loam and horse dung.

  f.  Mining. (a) of a vein: Thick, massive. (b) See quots. 1883, 1886.

1839.  Murchison, Silur. Syst., I. xiv. 177. In the same tract are strong courses of very pure concretionary limestone.

1877.  Raymond, Statist. Mines & Mining, 159. The vein is very strong, and carries a very large proportion of quartz.

1883.  Gresley, Gloss. Coal-mining, 245. Strong, a word having reference to the character of a bind or metal, meaning that the argillaceous is largely mixed with the arenaceous or siliceous material.

1886.  J. Barrowman, Sc. Mining Terms, 65. Strong, hard; not easily broken, e.g., strong coal.

  g.  Iron-founding. (See quot. 1888.)

1868.  Joynson, Metals, 42. Mr. Glynn names [as the best mixture] one-third strong iron from South Wales, and two-thirds of the more fluid metal.

1888.  Lockwood’s Dict. Mech. Engin., Strong Iron, applied usually to mixtures of iron of various brands, together with scrap iron,… by which a definite grade of strength or toughness is obtained.

  h.  Of hair: Thick in fiber, coarse; stiff.

1726.  Swift, Gulliver, II. vi. 103. Through these Holes I wove the strongest Hairs I could pick out.

1813.  Prichard, Phys. Hist. Man, vi. § 6. 310. Their hair is strong, of a shining black.

  i.  Of wool: Broad-haired or coarse-fibered; the opposite of fine. Also Austral., of sheep, having such wool (W., 1911).

1885.  F. H. Bowman, Struct. Wool Fibre, 219. If … the fleece was of a superior quality, such as a fine Kent selected for quality, it would make ‘fine’ matching … If, however, the fleece was a strong Lincoln or Gloucester, it would probably only be classed as ‘neat’ matching.

1886.  Colonial & Ind. Exhib., Catal. Exhibits N. S. Wales (ed. 2), 20. Wool…. Strong combing.

  j.  Carpentry. Of deals: see quot.

1843.  Civil Engin. & Arch. Jrnl., VI. 406/1. When the saw has … reduced them to small dimensions, they warp and twist like a piece of whalebone. Deals of this character are termed by carpenters ‘strong.’

  † k.  absol. as sb. = FORTE sb. 2.

1692.  Sir W. Hope, Fencing Master, 3. The Strong, Fort, or Prime of the Blade is Measured from the Shell … to the middle of the Blade.

  10.  Powerful in operative effect. a. of a medicine, food or drink, poison, chemical reagent, etc.

c. 897.  K. Ælfred, Gregory’s Past. C., lxi. 455. Onʓean swelce mettrymnesse mon beðorfte stronges læcedomes.

c. 1386.  Chaucer, Pard. T., 539. This poyson is so strong and violent.

c. 1400.  Rule St. Benet, 1607. Wyne þat es myghty and strang.

1580.  T. Newton, Approved Medicines, 67. That kynde [of water-lily] which hath the white roote is more stronger.

1593.  Shaks., 2 Hen. IV., III. iii. 18. Giue me some drinke, and bid the Apothecarie Bring the strong poyson that I bought of him.

1626.  Bacon, Sylva, § 45. Scotch Skinck, (which is a Pottage of strong Nourishment).

1697.  Dryden, Æneis, Ded. (a) 2 b. Acute Distempers require Medicines of a strong and speedy operation.

1815.  J. Smith, Panorama Sci. & Art, II. 667. The seeds … are sown upon a strong hotbed.

1821.  Scott, Kenilw., v. I hate him like strong poison.

1843.  R. J. Graves, Syst. Clin. Med., xx. 233. I often diminish supersecretion from the lung by strong hydragogue cathartics.

1876.  Abney, Instr. Photogr. (ed. 3), 38. Always have a weak and a strong developer in the field.

1899.  Allbutt’s Syst. Med., VIII. 515. The above list gives them [i.e., astringent external applications] in order of their efficacy—from the weakest to the strongest.

  b.  of a mechanical agent.

1655.  Stanley, Hist. Philos., II. (1687), 65/1. The Stars are impelled by the condensation of the Air about the Poles, which the Sun makes more strong by compressing.

1675.  J. S[mith], Horolog. Dial., 78. The spring is always strongest when first wound up.

1680.  Moxon, Mech. Exerc., x. 185. If the Pole prove too strong for their … Work, they will weaken it by cutting away part of the substance.

1824.  Col. Hawker, Instr. Yng Sportsm. (ed. 3), 42. The solid cock … will admit of mainsprings as strong as you please.

  c.  Of a lens: Having great magnifying power.

1887.  Proc. Zool. Soc., 80. The punctuation much more distinctly visible anteriorly than posteriorly, where only traces of it can be seen under a strong lens.

  11.  Severe, burdensome, oppressive. † a. Of laws, punishments, suffering, condition of life, etc.: Hard to bear, rigorous, grievous. Strong death: a violent or cruel death. Obs.

c. 893.  K. Ælfred, Oros., V. xii. § 9. Ealle þa ʓesetnessa þe þær to stronge wæron & to hearde he hie ealle ʓedyde leohtran & liþran.

971.  Blickling Hom., 79. Wæs þæt wite swa strang, swa Godes ʓeþeld ær mycel wæs.

a. 1154.  O. E. Chron. (Laud MS.), an. 1124. Se man þe æni god heafde him me hit beræfode mid strange ʓeoldes & mid strange motes.

c. 1205.  Lay., 5271. For heom comen stronge tidinge from Belin þon Kinge.

a. 1225.  Ancr. R., 362. Uolk to-limed & to-toren mid stronge liflode & mid herde.

1297.  R. Glouc. (Rolls), 1811. Cristen men þat he vond to stronge deþ he broȝte. Ibid., 2933. Hii smite harde & made moni an strange wounde.

a. 1300.  Cursor M., 3416. Wit-outen child his wijf was lang, And þat thoght ysaac ful strang.

c. 1330.  R. Brunne, Chron. Wace (Rolls), 3321. Strong hit were for oure cite To be destruyed, & al þe contre.

c. 1400.  Brut, lii. (1906), 45. No man was so hardy for-to nempne God; & ho þat dede, anon he was put to strong deth.

a. 1450.  Le Morte Arth., 1875. To bedde durste I ne noȝt dight, For drede ye hade som Aunter stronge.

c. 1450.  Mirk’s Festial, 33. He … told of … the paynes of hell, how strong and how horrybly þay wern.

c. 1485.  Digby Myst., Mary Magd., 1002. Yt ys In-tollerabyll to se or to tell, for ony creature, þat stronkg tourmentry.

1535.  Coverdale, 2 Kings xxv. 3. On y^e nyenth daye of the fourth moneth was the honger so stronge in the cite, that the people of the londe had nothinge to eate.

1567.  Gude & Godlie Ball., 44. He said, I thrist, with all my micht, To saif mankynde fra panis strang.

1592.  Shaks., Rom. & Jul., III. i. 195. But Ile Amerce you with so strong a fine, That you shall all repent the losse of mine.

  † b.  Of a storm, the weather, cold, etc.: Severe.

c. 1000.  Sax. Leechd., I. 326. Ðonne ne sceþþeð þe ne tunʓol ne haʓol ne strang storm.

a. 1122.  O. E. Chron. (Laud MS.), an. 1115. Ðises ʓeares wæs swa strang winter mid snawe & mid forste, swa nan man þe þa lifode ær þan nan strengre ne ʓemunde.

c. 1250.  Owl & Night., 524. Hwenne nyhtes cumeþ longe & bryngeþ forstes starke & stronge.

c. 1400.  Maundev. (1839), xxvi. 266. So is it fulle of Dragounes,… that no man dar not passe, but ȝif it be strong Wyntre.

c. 1400.  Emare, 665. Myȝth y onus gete lond, or þe watur þat ys so stronge.

c. 1425.  Eng. Conq. Irel., 66. In thys tyme was the weder so stronge, & the wynd so aweyward, that [etc.].

c. 1450.  St. Cuthbert (Surtees), 1741. Þar felle a storme strange.

1671.  T. Hunt, Abeced. Scholast., 9. Let thy garments be long, When the cold is strong.

  † c.  Of a battle, fight, debate: Fierce, hotly contested. Obs.

c. 900.  Bæda’s Hist., I. ix. (1890), 46. Wæs þis ʓefeoht wælgrimre & strengre eallum þam ærʓedonum.

c. 1205.  Lay., 173. Wið Eneam he nom an feiht þæt wes feondliche strong.

c. 1250.  Owl & Night., 5. Þat playd wes stif & starc & strong.

c. 1400.  Brut, cvj. 107. And þat batayle was wonder strong, for meny a man was þere slayn.

a. 1450.  Le Morte Arth., 1583. Saugh nevir no man A stronger fyght.

1553.  Paynell, trans. Dares Phryg. Destr. Troy, F v b. The whiche caused the war to be a great deale y^e stronger & greater.

1613.  [Hayward], Lives 3 Norman Kings, 8. Hee was ouerthrowne in a strong battaile.

  d.  Of disease: Severe. Strong apoplexy = mod.L. apoplexia fortis (Path.): the sanguineous as distinguished from the serous or ‘weak’ variety. Of convulsions, shuddering, palpitation: Violent.

c. 1000.  Sax. Leechd., II. 226. Oft strang fefer becymð on þa men þe þa adle habbað.

1389.  in Eng. Gilds (1870), 30. No man schal ben excusyd of absence…, but it be for ye kyngges seruice er for stronge sekenesse.

1595.  Shaks., John, III. iv. 110. Before the curing of a strong disease Euen in the instant of repaire and health, The fit is strongest.

1754.  Richardson, Grandison, IV. 150. In that space, Lady Clementina’s absences [= attacks of delirium] were stronger, but less frequent than before.

1815.  Scott, Guy M., lv. A strong shuddering convulsed his iron frame for an instant.

1820.  J. Cooke, Treat. Nervous Dis., I. i. 168, note. In the strong paroxysm, persons are said to lie entirely deprived of sensation and motion. Ibid., 169. In the perfect, or strong apoplexy, the respiration of the patient is generally much impeded.

1821.  Scott, Kenilw., xl. Tressilian found himself, not without a strong palpitation of heart, in the presence of Elizabeth. Ibid. (1825), Betrothed, xiv. [She] fell into a strong shuddering fit.

1901.  Alldridge, Sherbro, xxvi. 296. After a couple of hours I was attacked by a strong fever.

  † e.  Of a crime, evil quality, etc.: Gross, flagrant. Of a malefactor: Flagrantly guilty. Obs.

c. 1290.  Beket, 1229, in S. Eng. Leg., 141. So strong þeof nis non in engelonde.

a. 1300.  Cursor M., 4426. Suilk es tresun of ille womman In werld es stranger funden nan.

13[?].  K. Horn, 1280 (Harl.). Þou … seydest ich wes traytour strong.

a. 1400.  Minor Poems fr. Vernon MS., xxxviii. 309. A þral … Þat for his gult strong and gret Wiþ his lord was so I-vet.

c. 1400.  Laud Troy Bk., 18638. And thus was Troye dryuen doun And y-lore thorow strong tresoun.

c. 1450.  Gesta Rom., 390. She sayde, ‘oute on the, stronge strompette!’

a. 1466.  Gregory, Chron., in Hist. Coll. Cit. Lond. (Camden), 163. And that same yere there was a stronge thefe that was namyd Bolton was drawe, hanggyd, and i-quarteryde.

1518.  Sel. Cases Star Chamber (Selden Soc.), II. 137. John Powre … pykyd a quarell to hym … and Callyd hym strong thefe and extorcyoner.

1575.  Gammer Gurton, III. iii. 35. Where is the strong stued hore?

1593.  Shaks., 2 Hen. VI., IV. i. 108. Bargulus the strong Illyrian Pyrate. Ibid. (1593), Rich. II., V. iii. 59. Oh heinous, strong, and bold Conspiracie.

1818.  Cruise, Digest (ed. 2), VI. 554. When the abuse is so strong, gross, and complete, that every man of common sense, to whom it was stated, must exclaim against it.

  f.  Of a course of action, a ‘measure’: Extreme, high-handed.

1838.  Arnold, Hist. Rome, I. xvi. 320. The Roman constitution of 306 was as short-lived … as some of the strongest measures of the long parliament.

1885.  Law Times’ Rep., LIII. 524/2. I think it would be rather a strong measure for me to decide now contrary to the authorities as there stated.

  g.  colloq. Of a payment, a charge: Heavy, ‘stiff.’

1669.  R. Montagu, in Buccleuch MSS. (Hist. MSS. Comm.), I. 459. Five hundred is a very strong pension as things stand in our Court.

1838.  Thackeray, Yellowplush, i. (1865), 8. Fourteen shillings a wick was a little too strong for two such rat-holes as he lived in.

  † 12.  Requiring great effort, arduous, difficult: chiefly const. inf. Obs.

c. 1175.  Lamb. Hom., 81. Þes ilke Mon is strong to sermonen.

  c. 1200.  Ormin, 6326. & tatt iss swiþe strang & harrd To forþenn her onn eorþe.

12[?].  Moral Ode, 312 (Egerton MS.), in O. E. Hom., I. 179. It is strong to stonde longe, and liht it is to falle.

a. 1250.  Prov. Ælfred, 145. Strong hit is to reowe a-yeyn þe séé þat floweþ.

1338.  R. Brunne, Chron. (1725), 240. In Wales it is fulle strong to werre in Wynter tide.

1422.  Yonge, trans. Secreta Secret., 216. Stronge is to fynde and know condycones and good vertues and maneris of Pepil wythout longe Prewe.

1430–40.  Lydg., Daunce of Machabree, in Bochas, etc. (1554), 222 b. By many an hyll and many a strong vale I haue trauailed with many marchandise.

1474.  Caxton, Chesse, II. iv. (1883), 49. Ther is no thynge so stronge as for to mayntene loue vnto the deth.

  † b.  Of country: Thickly covered with undergrowth. Obs.

c. 1400.  Master of Game (MS. Digby 182), xxx. Eke in þe tyme þat þe heedes of þe hertes beth tendre … | ei abyde amonge clere speyes and in hye wodes, for stronge cuntre shulde per auenture do hem harme to hir hedes.

  13.  Of movements or conditions: Intense.

  a.  Of a current of air or water, a wind, tide, stream: Having force of movement.

  Strong breeze, gale (naut.): see quot. 1867.

c. 950.  Lindisf. Gosp., Matt. xiv. 30. Ʒesæh ec wind strong [L. ventum validum], ondreard.

1388.  Wyclif, Exod. x. 19. The Lord … made a moost strong wynd to blowe fro the west.

a. 1420.  Anturs of Arth., v. By þe stremys so strange, þat swyftly swoghes.

c. 1620.  A. Hume, Brit. Tongue, I. v. Nether daer I, with al the oares of reason, row against so strang a tyde.

1697.  Dryden, Æneis, V. 251. As when you stem’d the strong Malæan Flood.

1794.  Mrs. Radcliffe, Myst. Udolpho, xliv. The wind was strong, and the baron watched his lamp with anxiety.

1807.  Wordsw., Force of Prayer, 30. The river was strong, and the rocks were steep.

1841.  Dickens, Barn. Rudge, lviii. A stone-floored room, where there was … a strong thorough draft of air.

1855.  Macaulay, Hist. Eng., xviii. IV. 239. At eight the next morning the tide came back strong.

1867.  Smyth, Sailor’s Word-bk., Strong Breeze, that which reduces a ship to double-reefed topsails, jib, and spanker. Ibid., Strong Gale, that strength of wind under which close-reefed topsails and storm-staysails are usually carried when close-hauled.

1913.  M. Roberts, Salt of the Sea, x. 234. We ran on and on, faster and faster yet—for the tide was under her stronger and stronger, every minute.

  transf.  1754.  Gray, Progr. Poesy, 8. Now the rich stream of music winds along Deep, majestic, smooth, and strong.

  b.  of the pulse, respiration.

1398.  Trevisa, Barth. De P. R., III. xxiv. (1495), 72. Strenger hete [in man] makyth stronger pulse.

1624.  Burton, Anat. Mel., I. iii. II. ii. (ed. 2), 176. Short breath, hard winde, strange [1632 strong] pulse.

1785.  Cowper, Task, IV. 348. While ev’ry breath, by respiration strong Forc’d downward, is consolidated soon Upon their jutting chests.

1876.  Bristowe, Th. & Pract. Med. (1878), 493. The pulse may be strong or weak, or in other words hard or soft. The former resists compression by the finger, the latter is easily obliterated by it.

  c.  Of fire, heat, an internal process, etc.: Intense, energetic, vigorously active.

c. 1290.  St. Christopher, 191, in S. Eng. Leg., 277. He let don þat oþur in strong fuyr.

1398.  [see b].

1608.  Shaks., Per., I. ii. 41. A sparke, To which that sparke giues heate, and stronger Glowing.

a. 1626.  Bacon, New Atl., 37. A Weake Heate of the Stomach will turne them into good Chylus; As well as a Strong Heate would Meate otherwise prepared.

1666.  Boyle, Orig. Forms & Qual., 172. If, for instance, you expose a Sphære or Bullet of Lead to a strong fire, it will [etc.].

1765.  Museum Rust., IV. 405. Red Colour for the use of Enamel Painters, which will bear repeated and sufficiently strong fires without change.

1826.  Art of Brewing (ed. 2), 60. By attenuating lower in summer, the beer does become … disposed to fretting and staleness—the result of too strong a fermentation.

1857.  Miller, Elem. Chem., Org., 144. By a stronger heat they are decomposed.

1874.  W. Gregor, Echo Olden Time N. Scot., 111. If it [sc. the wort] fermented strongly, or, as it was expressed, if it was strong on the barm.

  d.  Of the voice, a sound: Powerful, loud and firm.

a. 1000.  Cædmon’s Gen., 525 (Gr.). Þonne ic siʓedrihten, mihtiʓne god mæðlan ʓehyrde strangre stemne.

14[?].  Tundale’s Vis., 1145. He herde a strong dynne of þonder.

1422.  Yonge, trans. Secreta Secret., 231. And a grete hey and stronge voice tokenyth a stronge and an hardy man.

1594.  Hooker, Eccl. Pol., IV. iv. § 1. The eares of the people they haue therfore filled with strong clamour.

1764.  in Reliquary (1860), I. 63. A Clergyman … whose voice is strong, and pronunciation distinct.

1788.  Cowper, Dog & Water-lily, 25. But with a chirrup [to the dog] clear and strong,… I thence withdrew.

1836.  Dubourg, Violin, ix. (1878), 273. His violoncellos … are of the finest quality of tone-not so strong and fiery as old Forster’s, but, sweetness and purity excelling them.

1908.  R. Bagot, A. Cuthbert, xxviii. 373. Her voice rang out clear and strong.

  † e.  Of sleep: Deep, sound. Obs. rare.

c. 1489.  Caxton, Sonnes of Aymon, xvi. 370. They beganne all to fall in a stronge slepe.

  † f.  Of a magnitude: Great, unusual. Obs.

c. 1400.  Destr. Troy, 1574. The Stretis were streght & of a stronge brede.

  g.  Of illumination, light, shadow, color: Vivid, intense.

1658.  W. Sanderson, Graphice, 66. In what places, you will have those strong and high lights, and reflections to fall.

1665.  Phil. Trans., I. 122. The Shaddows … seem to be stronger.

1704.  Newton, Optics, I. II. v. (1721), 130. We are not to expect a strong and full white, such as is that of Paper, but some dusky obscure one.

1781.  Cowper, Convers., 331. The southern sash admits too strong a light.

1794.  Mrs. Radcliffe, Myst. Udolpho, xxxiii. The strong rays [of moonlight] enabled her also to perceive the ravages which the siege had made.

1815.  J. Smith, Panorama Sci. & Art, II. 724. All strong lights must be relieved by deep shades.

1820.  Belzoni, Egypt & Nubia, III. 328. They [the fish] were of a strong blue silvered colour.

1831.  Brewster, Nat. Magic, viii. (1832), 195. Two strong lights may be made to produce darkness!

1885.  Athenæum, 23 May, 669/1. A foreground of whitish sun-blanched clay reflects the strong sun-gleam falling there.

  fig.  1711.  Swift, Examiner, No. 39, ¶ 9. The Shame of having their Crimes expos’d to open View in the strongest Colours.

1769.  Robertson, Chas. V., IV. Wks. 1851, III. 573. He painted, in the strongest colours, the emperor’s want of discernment.

1833.  J. Rush, Philos. Hum. Voice, xxxi. (ed. 2), 240. And this may serve to set the power of intonation in the strongest light.

  h.  Of effort, movement, pressure, etc.: Forcible.

1827.  Faraday, Chem. Manip., xix. (1842), 533. It is better to make it [sc. the pressure] rather stronger when the glass is returned, than when drawn towards the body.

1837.  Carlyle, Fr. Rev., I. V. i. You cannot without strong elbowing get to the counter.

1899.  Allbutt’s Syst. Med., VIII. 19. An architect … putting in the details of a design by means of strong pressure with a hard pencil.

  i.  Of feeling, conviction, belief: Intense, fervid. Of party views or principles: Uncompromising, thoroughgoing.

c. 1200.  Ormin, 14461. Forr defless þewwess hafenn aȝȝ Strang niþ ȝæn Cristess þewwess.

1590.  Spenser, F. Q., II. ii. 28. But her two other sisters … both their champions bad Pursew the end of their strong enmity.

1600.  Shaks., A. Y. L., I. iii. 28. Is it possible on such a sodaine, you should fall into so strong a liking with old Sir Roulands yongest sonne? Ibid. (1610), Temp., II. i. 208. My strong imagination see’s a Crowne Dropping vpon thy head.

1667.  Milton, P. L., IX. 492. Hate stronger, under shew of Love well feign’d.

1794.  Mrs. Radcliffe, Myst. Udolpho, xxxiii. That there should be light in this chamber, and at this hour, excited her strong surprise.

1839.  Thackeray, Fatal Boots, March. The desire for the boots was so strong, that have them I must at any rate.

1849.  Macaulay, Hist. Eng., vii. II. 200. A strong sense of duty.

1850.  Athenæum, 7 Dec., 1282/1. We confess to a strong interest … in the proposed change.

1881.  Morley, Cobden, xxix. II. 243. M. Rouher, who was then Minister of Commerce, professed strong Free-trade views.

1902.  ‘Violet Jacob,’ Sheep-Stealers, xii. The sheep-stealer too was at all times a taciturn man with deep prejudices and strong loves and hates.

  j.  Of a person: Firmly convinced, decided in opinion; colloq. laying great stress on something. Often qualifying a party designation: Zealous, uncompromising, thoroughgoing.

1526.  Pilgr. Perf. (W. de W., 1531), 276. In all maters stronge in theyr owne opinion.

1598.  Shaks., Merry W., IV. vi. 27. Her Mother, (euen strong against that match And firme for Doctor Caius).

1599.  Marston, Ant. & Mel., V. I was mightie strong in thought we should have shut up night with an olde comedie.

1625.  Bacon, Ess., Of Counsel (Arb.), 329. In choice of Committees for ripening Businesse, for the Counsell, it is better to choose Indifferent persons, then to make an Indifferency, by putting in those, that are strong, on both sides.

1679.  Tryal R. Langhorn, 26. L. C. J. Is Anthony a Papist? Mr. Bus. Yes, a very strong Papist.

1711.  Addison, Spect., No. 126, ¶ 8. I find however that the Knight is a much stronger Tory in the Country than in Town.

1855.  Macaulay, Hist. Eng., xix. IV. 350. For Bohun was as strong a Tory as a conscientious man who had taken the oaths could possibly be.

1858.  Sears, Athan., III. iii. 274. The Essenes … were strong anti-materialists.

1882.  Morley, Cobden, xxix. II. 255. The Emperor was strong for a commercial treaty with England.

1859.  Mrs. Stowe, Minister’s Wooing, xxx. ‘Some folks say,’ said Candace, ‘that dreaming about white horses is a certain sign. Jinny Styles is very strong about that.’

1883.  Mrs. E. Kennard, Right Sort, xxiv. 292. I doubt very much if Mary, who is so strong on the proprieties, will consider you and Mr. McGrath sufficient chaperones for two young ladies at a public theatre.

  k.  Of a hold: Not easily dislodged, firm, tenacious. So to take strong root. Chiefly fig. (Cf. 9.)

1699.  South, Serm. (1727), IV. 517. Nothing has so strong and fast an Hold upon the Nature and Mind of Man, as that which delights it.

1821.  Scott, Kenilw., xxx. His friend’s unusual finery had taken a strong hold of his imagination.

  14.  Having its specific property in a high degree.

  † a.  Of coin: Containing much precious metal.

1469.  in Archæologia, XV. 168. Whanne the seid money be founde atte the assaye … to stronge or to feble all only in weght or all only in allaye.

  b.  Of a liquor: Containing a large proportion of spirit or alcohol. See also STRONG DRINK, STRONG WATER 2.

  To think strong beer of oneself: to have an unduly high opinion of oneself (nonce-use. Cf. SMALL BEER 1 c).

c. 1000.  Sax. Leechd., I. 172. Ʒyf þu þas wyrte sylst þicʓean on strangon wine.

1530.  Tindale, Answ. More, Pref., Wks. (1572), 248/2. Ale & bere of the strongest.

1598.  Shaks., Merry W., III. v. 114. And then to be stopt in like a strong distillation with stinking Cloathes.

1618.  Owles Almanacke, 46. Small beere shall be for dyet-keepers, but strong twang shall proue as good as bagg-pudden.

1669.  Sir K. Digby’s Closet opened, 126. To twenty Gallons of the Strong-wort he puts eight or ten pound … of honey.

1671.  Milton, Samson, 553–4. O madness, to think use of strongest wines And strongest drinks our chief support of health.

1707.  Mortimer, Husb., 567. Which quantity will make a Barrel of Strong-Beer, and a Barrel and a half of Ale, and one Hogshead and half of Small-Beer.

1762.  Bickerstaff, Love in Village, III. ix. I tipsey brother!—I—that never touch a drop of any thing strong from year’s end to year’s end.

1837.  Southey, Doctor, IV. Interch. xvi. 382. I am more inclined, as my Master insinuates, to think Strong Beer of myself.

1843.  Pereira, Food & Diet, 422. Wines which contain a comparatively small quantity of it [sc. alcohol] are denominated light wines;… while those which are rich in it are termed strong or generous wines.

  c.  Of an infusion, solution, etc.: Having a large preponderance of the solid ingredient or of the flavoring element; having little dilution.

1716.  Pope, Basset-table, 108. The Tea’s too strong.

1721.  Ramsay, Prospect of Plenty, 161. They’ll … stow them [herrings] wi’ strang brine.

a. 1777.  in Jrnl. Friends’ Hist. Soc. (1904), Oct., 187. To these 2 Quarts of strong Jelly you may put a Pinte of Rhenish.

1827.  Faraday, Chem. Manip., xxiv. (1842), 611. Put two ounces of acetate of potassa into a retort, with its weight of strong sulphuric acid.

1866.  Reade, Griffith Gaunt, II. xii. 195. Make him soup as strong as strong.

1873.  T. H. Green, Introd. Pathol. (ed. 2), 351. A drop of strong glycerine.

1899.  Allbutt’s Syst. Med., VII. 583. Antral and attic cavities washed out with strong antiseptic solution.

  d.  Strong of: largely or greatly impregnated or flavored with.

1617.  Moryson, Itin., I. 26. These waters are so strong of brimstone, as the very smoake warmeth them that come neere.

1709.  T. Robinson, Nat. Hist. Westm. & Cumberl., vii. 44. Upon the inside of this Fell, breaks out a Chalybiate Water, very strong of the Mineral.

1769.  Mrs. Raffald, Eng. Housekpr. (1778), 215. When the water is strong of the apple, add to it the juice of a lemon.

1846.  Dickens, Pict. fr. Italy, 49. German sausages, strong of garlick.

1861.  Ramsay, Remin., Ser. II. 124. ‘Oh, vera good, mem; it’s just some strong o’ the apple’ (a common country expression for beer which is rather tart or sharp).

  fig.  1901.  ‘A. Hope,’ Tristram of Blent, xxvi. 356. This situation was deliciously strong of the Tristrams.

  e.  Of a semi-liquid substance: Stiff, viscid.

1683.  Moxon, Mech. Exerc., Printing, xxiv. ¶ 11. If it be small Letter…, the Inck must be Strong…: But if it be great Letter…, he makes Soft Inck serve.

1761.  Phil. Trans., LII. 150. I had it varnished over several times with strong varnish, or japan.

1839.  Ure, Dict. Arts, 1266. (Varnish) Keep it boiling until it feels strong and stringy between the fingers.

  f.  Of flour (see quots.).

1844.  H. Stephens, Bk. Farm, II. 349. When wheat is translucent … it is best suited to the common baker, as affording what is called strong flour; that is, flour that rises boldly with yeast into a spongy dough.

1905.  Westm. Gaz., 16 Sept., 7/1. But the bakers want a ‘strong’ flour—one that holds more water and makes more bread.

  15.  Affecting the sense of taste or smell in a high degree.

  a.  Powerful in odor, strong-smelling; spec. having a powerful unpleasant smell. Also of an odor.

c. 1340.  Richard Rolle of Hampole, Prick of Conscience, 6692. And yhit þe fire þat bryn þam sal, Sal gyfe a st[r]ang stynk with-alle.

c. 1475.  Henryson, Poems, III. (S.T.S.), 151. With reid nettill seid in strang wesche to steip.

1500–20.  Dunbar, Poems, lix. 9. That fulle dismemberit hes my meter, And poysound it with strang salpeter.

1567.  in H. Campbell, Love-lett. Q. Scots, App. (1824), 61. The longer the dirt is hidden, it is the stronger.

1607.  Shaks., Cor., I. i. 61. They say poore Suters haue strong breaths.

1626.  Bacon, Sylva, § 835. For those kinde of Smells, that we haue mentioned, are all Strong, and doe Pull and Vellicate the Sense.

1664.  Butler, Hud., II. i. 755. Which makes him have so strong a breath, Each night he stinks a Queen to death.

1728.  Pope, Dunc., II. 105. [He] from th’ effluvia [of ordure] strong Imbibes new life.

1882.  Floyer, Unexpl. Balūchistan, 151. Bushire … contains more filth and strong smells in proportion to its size than any other town.

  b.  Powerful in flavor or taste; strong-tasting; rank. Also of a flavor or taste.

c. 1000.  Sax. Leechd., I. 310. Þa [leaf] syndon stranges swæces.

1599.  Massinger, etc., Old Law, II. i. Tis like a cheese too strong of the Runnet.

1644.  Digby, Nat. Bodies, xvii. § 5. 149. They thought that paines well recompenced, by finding it in the last to grow stronger and stronger.

1659.  Howell, Lex. Tetragl., Eng. Prov., As strong as Mustard.

1719.  London & Wise, Compl. Gard., IV. 66. Its Pulp is very buttery,… and Taste agreeable; the only fault is, that ’tis a little strong towards the Core.

1830.  Lyell, Princ. Geol., I. 202. The water is hot, has a strong taste.

1837.  Dickens, Pickw., xxxii. The cheese went a great way, for it was very strong.

1893.  R. Lydekker, Horns & Hoofs, 116. The flesh of other buck ibex is so strong as to be quite uneatable.

1908.  R. Bagot, A. Cuthbert, vii. 63. Commercial travellers … smoking the strongest of black cigars.

  16.  Having a powerful effect on the mind or will.

  a.  Of motives, impulses, temptations, etc.: Powerful; adapted to prevail; hard to resist. Of passions: Capable of great intensity; hard to control.

a. 1225.  Ancr. R., 32. Habbeð reouþe of þeo þet beoth ine stronge temptaciuns.

1567.  Gude & Godlie Ball., 66. I am compassit round about, With sore and strang temptatioun.

1600.  Shaks., A. Y. L., II. vii. 118. Let gentlenesse my strong enforcement be.

1598.  B. Jonson, Ev. Man in Hum., II. iii. When such strong motives muster, and make head Against her single peace.

1667.  Milton, P. L., IX. 934. Inducement strong To us, as likely tasting to attaine Proportional ascent. Ibid., X. 265. Goe whither Fate and inclination strong Leads thee.

1692.  Atterbury, Serm. (1726), I. 13. By the Means of our Will, and that strong Bent towards Gratitude which the Author of our Nature hath implanted in it.

1779.  Mirror, No. 65. A man of warm affections and strong passions.

1815.  Shelley, Alastor, 274. A strong impulse urged His steps to the sea-shore.

1823.  F. Clissold, Ascent Mt. Blanc, 20. I felt a strong inclination to sleep.

1849.  Macaulay, Hist. Eng., V. I. 662. Both were impelled by the strongest pressure of hope and fear to criminate him.

1891.  M. Roberts, Land-travel & Sea-faring, 57. In truth the nomadic instinct was always strong in me.

  b.  Of argument, evidence, proof, etc.: Powerful to demonstrate or convince; hard to confute or overthrow.

c. 1449.  Pecock, Repr., V. viii. 527. Confirmacioun in strengist maner to this argument may be this: That Holi Writt [etc.].

1471.  [see STRENGEST].

1565.  Shacklock, trans. Hosius, 8 b. Stronger obiections … then he was able to solute.

1601.  Shaks., All’s Well, IV. ii. 59. My reasons are most strong. Ibid. (1608), Per., IV. ii. 38. Besides the sore tearmes we stand vpon with the gods, wilbe strong with vs for giuing ore.

1696.  Vanbrugh, Relapse, II. i. You have many stronger Claims than that, Berinthia, whenever you think fit to plead your Title.

1742–3.  Johnson’s Deb., Wks. 1811, XIV. 390. Nor can any argument be offered for the present bill more strong than that.

1770.  Luckombe, Hist. Printing, 13. The fact is strong, and … passes for certain evidence of the age of books.

1784.  Sir J. Hawkins, Walton’s Angler (ed. 4), 107, note. The presumption therefore is very strong, that both were written by … Christopher Harvey.

1831.  Brewster, Nat. Magic, v. (1832), 104. The shadow of the pin falling in the direction A B is a stronger proof to the eye that the light is coming from the right hand.

1857.  Miller, Elem. Chem., Org. (1862), 236. A strong argument against the admission of the view that [etc.].

1861.  Paley, Æschylus (ed. 2), Supplices, 764, note. There is a strong probability that they are right.

1892.  Law Times’ Rep., LXVII. 251/2. The evidence as to this is too strong to be discarded.

  c.  Of a case: Well-supported by evidence or precedent.

1698.  in Sir H. Dalrymple, Decis. (1792), 8. Which quadrates with the present case, which is yet stronger than it.

1737.  Gentl. Mag., VII. 297. The Case … mentioned in Coke 4. Inst. 228. is by no Means so strong.

1863.  Cowden Clarke, Shaks. Char., xvi. 391. Shakespeare has made out a strong case for Shylock.

1885.  Law Rep., 15 Q. B. D. 320. This seems to me a much stronger case than Heaven v. Pender, where it was held that the defendant was liable.

  17.  Having legal force. † a. Of a document: Valid (obs.). b. Of dispositions, sanctions, etc.: Effectual.

c. 1450.  Godstow Reg., 145. Both partyes maade hit stronge by puttyng to þere seelys.

1544.  trans. Littleton’s Tenures, III. v. 81. Yf he receyue the payment in any other place, thys is good ynoughe and as stronge for the feoffour, as yf [etc.].

1593.  Shaks., Rich. II., IV. i. 235. There should’st thou finde one heynous Article,… cracking the strong Warrant of an Oath. Ibid. (1600), Sonn., lviii. Be where you list, your charter is so strong, That you your selfe may priuiledge your time To what you will.

1741.  Cases Equity Time of Talbot, 181. The Nature of the Provision is strong enough for this Purpose, without any express Words.

1765.  Pet., in Walker v. Spence, 4. It would be quite inconsistent, that a right of hypothec should have stronger effects than a right of property.

1765.  Blackstone, Comm., Introd § 2. I. 54. Neither do divine or natural duties … receive any stronger sanction from being also declared to be duties by the law of the land.

1838.  Arnold, Hist. Rome, I. xvi. 316. The old laws for the security of personal liberty were confirmed afresh, and received a stronger sanction.

  18.  Vividly perceptible, marked, definite.

  a.  of mental impressions.

1697.  Addison, Dryden’s Virg. Georg., Ess. ¶¶ 1. We receive more strong and lively Ideas of things from his words, than we cou’d have done from the Objects themselves.

1748.  Melmoth, Fitzosborne Lett., lvii. (1749), II. 84. While the impression of that national belief remained strong upon their minds.

1854.  Surtees, Handley Cr., xxxix. (1901), II. 21. ‘We can’t do with less,’ replied the lady, the cares of dinner strong upon her.

1894.  J. T. Fowler, Adamnan, Introd. 56. The local traditions … are still very strong.

1897.  P. Warung, Tales Old Regime, 139. The circumstances attending the assault on the woman for which he was tried are still strong in my recollection.

1902.  ‘Violet Jacob,’ Sheep-Stealers, xiv. ‘Ah, I was younger then,’ replied Harry, with all the wisdom of his twenty-five years strong upon him.

  b.  Of resemblance, contrast: Marked.

1796.  Mrs. Inchbald, Nature & Art, xi. (1820), 26. A strong family resemblance appeared between the two youths.

1842.  Borrow, Bible in Spain, xxxiv. Nothing could exhibit a stronger contrast to the desolate tracts … through which we had lately passed, than [etc.].

1879.  Cassell’s Techn. Educ., IV. 1/2. It will not be necessary to describe any other lathes … as there is a very strong family likeness amongst them.

1898.  ‘H. S. Merriman,’ Roden’s Corner, ix. 98. Von Holzen was in strong contrast to the two Englishmen.

  c.  Of national or dialectal pronunciation: Strongly marked, broad.

1818.  Scott, Hrt. Midl., xxi. A tattered cadie … exclaimed in a strong north-country tone, ‘Ta deil ding out her Cameronian een.’

1842.  T. Martin, My Namesake, in Fraser’s Mag., Dec., 654/1. ‘He gangs there files (at times) in the summer time,’ returned Thomson, in a strong Banffshire accent.

1859.  Habits of Gd. Society, 64. The ballads of Moore may gain much from a strong Irish brogue, but [etc.].

1890.  Conan Doyle, White Company, xxiv. ‘I come,’ he shouted…, with a strong Breton accent.

  † d.  Of the features: Coarse, ugly. Obs.

1794.  Mrs. Radcliffe, Myst. Udolpho, l. Each was rendered more impressive by the grotesque habits and strong features of the guides and other attendants.

1817.  J. Evans, Excurs. Windsor, etc., 48. Heidegger once laid a wager … that … his lordship would not be able to produce so hideous a face in all London! A woman was found whose features, at first sight, were thought stronger than his.

  e.  Of a line: Broad, thick. Also, vivid in color (cf. 13 g).

1731.  Art of Drawing & Paint., 4. Then if the Print or Picture is done by a good Master, see which Lines are strong, and which are tender and soft: Imitate them.

1796.  Cavalry Instr., Table, The strong Line denotes the Front.

1831.  Brewster, Optics, x. 85. [Of Fraunhofer’s lines] D is in the orange, and is a strong double line, easily seen…; E is in the green, and consists of several, the middle one being the strongest.

  f.  Of the outlines of an object in a landscape or picture: Bold, not faint. Also fig.

1818.  Shelley, Julian & Maddalo, 106. The broad sun sunk behind it [a bell in a tower], and it tolled In strong and black relief.

1862.  Whittier, Astræa at the Capitol, 63. On our ground of grief Rise day by day in strong relief The prophecies of better things.

  g.  Photogr. Of a negative: Having marked contrast of light and shade; dense.

1892.  A. Brothers, Photogr., 80. Strong, intense negatives are best printed by daylight.

  h.  That is in a high degree what is indicated.

1899.  Allbutt’s Syst. Med., VII. 415. According as the individuals in whom the lesions specified occur are ‘visuals,’ or strong ‘auditives.’

  19.  Of language, an expression, a word: Emphatic; signifying or implying much; not moderate. Strong language: see LANGUAGE sb.¹ 3.

1697.  Dryden, Æneis, Ded. (a) 4. The work of Tragedy is on the Passions, and in Dialogue, both of them abhor strong Metaphors, in which the Epopee delights.

1796.  Jane Austen, Pride & Prej., xxiv. I must think your language too strong in speaking of both.

1836.  W. Irving, Astoria, III. 245. He expressed his indignation in the strongest terms.

1845.  Thackeray, Cornhill to Cairo, v. Wks. 1878, VII. 597. The shabbiness of this place [Greece] actually beats Ireland and that is a strong word.

1884.  E. Yates, Recoll., II. 330. Exercising my power, I struck out some strong expressions.

1900.  Chamberlain, in Daily News, 24 Sept., 2/4. Scandalous is a strong word, but weak people always use the strongest words.

  b.  Of a protest, recommendation, etc.: Emphatic, strongly worded, urgent.

1733.  Budgell, Bee, No. 2. I. 71. The Prussian Minister made the strongest Instances in favour of these Officers, but to no Purpose.

1768.  Boswell, Corsica, ii. (ed. 2), 94. The prince of Wirtemburg … sent an express to the emperour, with a very strong letter.

1830.  Ld. Ellenborough, Diary (1881), II. 372. Told Lord Cleveland I had transmitted his letter with a strong recommendation.

1844.  H. H. Wilson, Brit. India, II. 15. Strong remonstrances were addressed to the Court of Khatmandu.

1912.  Times, 19 Oct., 8/2. Strong protests were made by several members against Mr. Harper’s proposal.

  20.  Of literary or artistic work: Vigorous or forceful in style or execution.

1746.  Francis, trans. Horace, Art of Poetry, 422. Good Sense, that Fountain of the Muse’s Art, Let the strong Page of Socrates impart.

1749.  Chesterf., Lett. to Son, 24 Nov. I should prefer moderate matter, adorned with all the beauties and elegancies of style, to the strongest matter in the world, ill-worded, and ill-delivered.

1822.  Q. Mus. Mag., IV. 118. Mr. Horsley’s [glee] is in his pure, strong, legitimate manner.

1905.  Daily Chron., 16 Aug., 3/2. What the publishers call a ‘strong’ book.

1913.  J. Collier, in 19th Cent., March, 603. He might have made a stronger picture, he could hardly have made a more beautiful one.

  21.  Comm. Of prices: Tending to steadiness or to a rise: not fluctuating or depressed.

1870.  Pall Mall Gaz., 23 Sept., 9/2. The Home Funds are, if anything, rather stronger in tone.

1890.  Daily News, 6 Jan., 2/3. Coal is very strong in price. Ibid., 1 Sept., 2/5. Pig iron is strong at 43s. 6d. for cinder. Ibid. (1895), 14 Oct., 2/6. Producers have been stronger in their prices.

  22.  Gram. In various applications (opposed to weak). a. Of Teutonic sbs. and adjs., their inflexions, etc.: Belonging to any of those declensions in which the OTeut. stem ended otherwise than in n. b. Of Teut. verbs and their inflexions: Forming the pa. t. and pa. pple. by means of vowel-gradation in the root-syllable, as the Eng. give, break. Hence occas. used with reference to other Indo-Germanic langs., e.g., in strong aorist, applied in Gr. grammar to the ‘second aorist’ (ἔλιπον) in contradistinction to the ‘weak’ or sigmatic aorist (ἔλειψα). c. In Sanskrit grammar, applied to the unreduced form of noun-stems, and to those cases which are formed on the ‘strong’ stem.

  In these uses strong and weak are translations of the G. stark and schwach, the grammatical senses of which are due to Jakob Grimm. The reason for the choice of these terms to denote the two classes of declension was prob. that in German the formal distinction of case is weakened in the n declensions by the disappearance of the original case-endings. (Some scholars, following the letter of Grimm’s own definition, inconveniently restrict the term ‘strong’ to the vocalic stems, so that the stems ending in other consonants than n form a third class, neither ‘strong’ nor ‘weak.’) The ablaut-verbs were designated as ‘strong’ because in them the form of the root sufficed to express past time without the adventitious aid of a tense-suffix.

  a.  1841.  Latham, Eng. Lang., 58. In A. S. … there is the Weak, or Simple Declension for words ending in a Vowel (as Eage, Steorra, Tunga), and the Strong, or Complex Declension for words ending in a Consonant (Smið, Sprǽc, Leáf).

  b.  1841.  Latham, Eng. Lang., 277. The German Grammarians call the Tenses formed by a change of vowel, the Strong Tenses, the Strong Verbs, the Strong Conjugation, or the Strong Order. Ibid., 278. The Strong Præterites are formed from the Present by changing the vowel, as sing, sang, speak, spoke.

1871.  Earle, Philol. Eng. Tongue, § 274. There is a slow continual tendency in these strong verbs to merge themselves gradually into the more numerous class of the weak verbs.

  c.  1863.  Benfey, Sansk. Gram., § 220. 176. There are some nouns which have a strong and a weak form…. Some have even three, a strong, a weak, and a weakest form.

  ¶ Incorrect use.

1858–9.  G. P. Marsh, Lect. Engl. Lang. (1860), 335. The strong inflections, or those consisting in a letter-change, as present run, past ran, singular man, plural men.

  23.  Phonetics and Prosody. Of a syllable: Bearing stress or metrical ictus. Of a consonant-sound: Characterized by force of utterance. Also in Music, accented.

1792.  J. Burnet (Ld. Monboddo), Orig. & Progr. Lang., III. iii. VI. 237. Emphasis, by which one word in a sentence is sounded much louder and stronger than the other words.

1852.  Proc. Philol. Soc., V. 153. A compound verse, composed of two parts, in each of which two dactyls … were followed by a long syllable, that is, a foot catalectic on the strong syllable, was alternated with the ancient epic verse.

1856.  Faris El-Shidiac, Pract. Gram. Arabic, 3. [!- arabic -->Arabic]. The true sound of this letter must be learnt by the ear. It is like a strong d.

1869.  Ouseley, Counterp. Canon & Fugue, iii. 12. Every bar contains two beats, one down-beat, and one up-beat; or, as Cherubini and others name them, a strong or accented time, and a weak or unaccented time.

  24.  Card-playing. Of a player: Holding commanding cards (in a specified suit). Of a hand or suit: Composed of commanding cards. Of a card: Of high and commanding value.

1862.  ‘Cavendish,’ Whist (1864), 59. It is conversely a disadvantage to trump a doubtful card when you are strong in trumps.

1864.  W. Pole, Theory Whist (1870), 18. A strong hand is difficult to define, further than as one likely to make many tricks; a weak one the contrary. Ibid., 34. It can only be warranted by very strong cards in all other suits.

1879.  ‘Cavendish,’ Card Ess., 184. If I only live long enough,… perhaps some day my strong suit will be trumps!

1900.  ‘J. Doe,’ Bridge Man., 31. The Dealer should go No Trumps with two very strong suits, one other suit weakly guarded, and the fourth not guarded at all. Ibid., 32. If his Spades are fairly strong he should leave the declaration to his partner.

  attrib.  1886.  ‘Cavendish,’ Whist (ed. 16), App. 288. The original leader (a strong suit player), leads queen of a plain suit.

  25.  Comb. In parasynthetic adjs., as strong-armed, -backed, -brained, etc. See also STRONG-BREATHED, -HEADED, -MINDED.

a. 1366[?].  Chaucer, Rom. Rose, 944. [Arrows] stronge poynted euerychoon.

c. 1374.  [see FAITHED ppl. a. 1].

1412–20.  Lydg., Chron. Troy, I. 1252. A rial chef cite … Strong wallid & towred rounde aboute.

a. 1425.  trans. Arderne’s Treat. Fistula, etc., 6. For that the pacient was strong herted, and suffrid wele sharp þingis.

1588.  Shaks., L. L. L., I. ii. 77. O well-knit Sampson, strong ioynted Sampson. Ibid. (1592), Ven. & Ad., 111. Strong-temperd steele his stronger strength obayed.

1656.  Cowley, Pindar. Odes, Plagues Egypt, xi. The houses and strong-body’ed Trees it broke.

1657.  Whole Duty Man (1755), 194. These stronger-brained Drinkers.

1677.  Lond. Gaz., No. 1233/4. A bright bay Nag, very strong quartered.

1780.  Burke, Œcon. Reform., Wks. III. 233. A man of a long-sighted and a strong-nerved humanity.

1785.  Burns, Addr. to Deil, iv. On the strong-wing’d Tempest flyin.

1822.  Lamb, Elia, Ser. II. Bks. & Reading. To be strong-backed and neat-bound is the desideratum of a volume.

1858.  Homans, Cycl. Comm., 434/2. Fine, long, and strong-stapled cotton.

1863.  Tennyson, On Transl. Homer, 1. These lame hexameters the strong-wing’d music of Homer!

1868.  Ruskin, Pol. Econ. Art., Addenda 200. A great deal may, indeed, be done … by a nation strong-elbowed and strong-hearted as we are.

1868.  J. H. Blunt. Ref. Ch. Eng., I. 331. Then the stronger souled men betook themselves to preparation for violent deaths.

1899.  Lady M. Verney, Verney Mem., IV. 80. She came of a strong-willed family.

  26.  Special comb.: strong-back (a) (see quot. 1738); (b) Naut. (see quot. 1867); also, a spar across boat-davits, to which the boat is secured at sea (Cent. Dict., 1891); strong bark, a tree or shrub of the genus Bourreria, found in the West Indies and tropical America; strong house (a) a fortified house, a castle; (b) (see quot. 1797); strong-like a. Sc., having an appearance of strength; strong-man’s-weed, the plant Petiveria alliacea, found in the West Indies and used there for its stimulating and sudorific properties.

1738.  Phil. Trans., XL. 350. Pittoniæ similis [frutex]. In the Bahama Islands it is called *Strong-back; a Decoction of the Bark is used there to strengthen the Stomach, and restore the Appetite.

1863.  A. Young, Naut. Dict., 397. Strong-back, for the Chain Cable.

1867.  Smyth, Sailor’s Word-bk., Strong-back, the same with Samson’s post (which see). Also, an adaptation of a strong piece of wood over the windlass, to lift the turns of a chain-cable clear of it.

1864.  Grisebach, Flora Brit. W. Ind., 788/1. *Strong-bark.

1884.  Sargent, Rep. Forests N. Amer., 114. Bourreria Havanensis.… Strong Bark.

1649–50.  Cromwell, Lett., 15 Feb., in Carlyle. From thence I marched to a *Strong-house belonging to Sir Richard Everard.

1797.  B. S. Barton, New Views Orig. Tribes Amer., p. xxxviii. The Senecas, Mohawks, Onondagos, Cayugas, and Oneidas, constitute the confederacy which has long been known by the name of the Five Nations. This confederacy, or compact, is called by the Indians themselves the Strong-House.

1875.  W. M‘Ilwraith, Guide to Wigtownshire, 104. A strong-house was built here at an early date.

1782.  J. Brown, Nat. & Revealed Relig., II. i. 139. He … doth accomplish those promises … which he had the *strongest-like reasons to shift.

1789.  J. Williams, Min. Kingd., I. 420. Some of these are dull and strong like.

1864.  Grisebach, Flora Brit. W. Ind., 788/1. *Strong-man’s-weed.