catflap.org Online Dictionary Query

  Strength \Strength\, n. [OE. strengthe, AS. streng[eth]u, 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.
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              All his [Samson's] strength in his hairs were.
                                                    --Chaucer.
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              Thou must outlive
              Thy youth, thy strength, thy beauty.  --Milton.
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     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.
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     3. Power of resisting attacks; impregnability. ``Our castle's
        strength will laugh a siege to scorn.'' --Shak.
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     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.
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     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.
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              God is our refuge and strength.       --Ps. xlvi. 1.
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              What they boded would be a mischief to us, you are
              providing shall be one of our principal strengths.
                                                    --Sprat.
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              Certainly there is not a greater strength against
              temptation.                           --Jer. Taylor.
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     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?
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     7. Vigor or style; force of expression; nervous diction; --
        said of literary work.
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              And praise the easy vigor of a life
              Where Denham's strength and Waller's sweetness join.
                                                    --Pope.
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     8. Intensity; -- said of light or color.
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              Bright Ph[oe]bus in his strength.     --Shak.
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     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.
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     10. A strong place; a stronghold. [Obs.] --Shak.
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     On the strength of, or Upon 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.
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     Syn: Force; robustness; toughness; hardness; stoutness;
          brawniness; lustiness; firmness; puissance; support;
          spirit; validity; authority. See Force.
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