Obs. exc. as nonce-use. [f. STRONG a. + -NESS.] The quality of being strong.
c. 1450. Mirour Saluacioun (1888), 72. Nowe Sampson it is to witt, for his grettest stroungnesse Prefigured oure lord crist.
a. 1578. Lindesay (Pitscottie), Chron. Scot. (S.T.S.), I. 133. In bewtie more excellent and abone all men in strangnes and habilietie.
a. 1604. Hanmer, Chron. Irel. (1809), 245. When the fight is ended,… and all strongnesse of hostility set apart, then in a Noble man must humanity take place.
1650. Gentilis, Consid., 212. There is no such thing as insensibility of pain; if there be, it is not a strongness of heart but a weaknesse of the minde.
1916. Blackw. Mag., Feb., 197/1. Smoking is forbidden with a Teutonic strongness in the workshop.
