Strength″en (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p.Strengthened (?); p. pr. & vb. n.Strengthening.] 1. To make strong or stronger; to add strength to; as, to strengthen a limb, a bridge, an army; to strengthen an obligation; to strengthen authority.
Let noble Warwick, Cobham, and the rest,...
With powerful policy strengthen themselves. Shak.
2. To animate; to encourage; to fix in resolution.
Charge Joshua, and encourage him, and strengthen him. Deut. iii. 28.
Syn. — To invigorate; confirm; establish; fortify; animate; encourage.