Strength (?), n. [OE. strengthe, AS. strengðu, fr. strang strong. See Strong.] 1. The quality or state of being strong; ability to do or to bear; capacity for exertion or endurance, whether physical, intellectual, or moral; force; vigor; power; as, strength of body or of the arm; strength of mind, of memory, or of judgment.
All his strength in his hairs were. Chaucer.
Thou must outlive
Thy youth, thy strength, thy beauty. Milton.
2. Power to resist force; solidity or toughness; the quality of bodies by which they endure the application of force without breaking or yielding; — in this sense opposed to frangibility; as, the strength of a bone, of a beam, of a wall, a rope, and the like. “The brittle strength of bones.” Milton.
3. Power of resisting attacks; impregnability. “Our castle's strength will laugh a siege to scorn.” Shak.
4. That quality which tends to secure results; effective power in an institution or enactment; security; validity; legal or moral force; logical conclusiveness; as, the strength of social or legal obligations; the strength of law; the strength of public opinion; strength of evidence; strength of argument.
5. One who, or that which, is regarded as embodying or affording force, strength, or firmness; that on which confidence or reliance is based; support; security.
God is our refuge and strength. Ps. xlvi. 1.
What they boded would be a mischief to us, you are providing shall be one of our principal strengths. Sprat.
Certainly there is not a greater strength against temptation. Jer. Taylor.
6. Force as measured; amount, numbers, or power of any body, as of an army, a navy, and the like; as, what is the strength of the enemy by land, or by sea?
7. Vigor or style; force of expression; nervous diction; — said of literary work.
And praise the easy vigor of a life
Where Denham's strength and Waller's sweetness join. Pope.
8. Intensity; — said of light or color.
Bright Phœbus in his strength. Shak.
9. Intensity or degree of the distinguishing and essential element; spirit; virtue; excellence; — said of liquors, solutions, etc.; as, the strength of wine or of acids.
10. A strong place; a stronghold. Shak.
On, orUpon, the strength of, in reliance upon. “The allies, after a successful summer, are too apt, upon the strength of it, to neglect their preparations for the ensuing campaign.” Addison.
Syn. — Force; robustness; toughness; hardness; stoutness; brawniness; lustiness; firmness; puissance; support; spirit; validity; authority. See Force.